WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Justice is intensifying efforts to move forward with a controversial $400 million White House ballroom project, citing recent security concerns following a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Officials with the Justice Department said the incident underscores the need for a secure, on-site venue capable of hosting large-scale events involving the president. The proposed ballroom would be constructed on the site of the former East Wing of the White House.
“It’s time to build the ballroom,” said Todd Blanche in a public statement, referencing a letter sent to preservation advocates urging them to drop their legal challenge.
The Justice Department has asked the National Trust for Historic Preservation to dismiss its lawsuit, which seeks to block construction of the ballroom. The group filed the suit in December, arguing that the project moved forward without required approvals from Congress and federal agencies.
In a letter from Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate, the department warned that if the lawsuit is not withdrawn, it would ask a court to dismiss it “in light of last night’s extraordinary events,” referring to the shooting at the Washington Hilton, where the annual dinner was held.
The department argued that the hotel is “demonstrably unsafe” for events involving the president due to its size and security challenges. Officials say a new ballroom within the White House complex would provide a more controlled and secure environment.
A spokesperson for the preservation group said the organization is reviewing the request with legal counsel.
The ballroom project, which is expected to accommodate up to 999 guests, has been the subject of ongoing legal and political debate. Donald Trump has repeatedly promoted the project, framing it as both a security necessity and a modernization effort for White House event space.
Following the recent incident, several lawmakers voiced support for the initiative. Jim Jordan said he agreed “100%” that the ballroom would provide a safer venue, while Lindsey Graham called it a “national security necessity.”
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Some bipartisan backing has also emerged. John Fetterman said the proposed ballroom could serve as a safer location for high-profile events like the Correspondents’ Dinner, noting the vulnerability of having multiple government leaders gathered in a single off-site location.
Construction progress has continued despite legal challenges. A federal appeals court recently allowed work to proceed, although a lower court had previously blocked above-ground construction while permitting underground work tied to security infrastructure.
The project includes a planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom addition, along with a bunker and other security-related features funded in part by public dollars. Trump has said the ballroom itself would be financed through private donations.
If completed, the ballroom is expected to be finished by 2028.
As legal proceedings continue, the case highlights broader tensions between historic preservation, executive authority and evolving security requirements for government facilities.
Originally reported by Meg Kinnard, Associated Press in PBS.
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