The Department of Justice (DOJ) is leveraging the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner to pressure preservationists to withdraw their lawsuit opposing former President Donald Trump’s $400 million ballroom project at the White House. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche publicly urged the National Trust for Historic Preservation to dismiss the lawsuit by Monday morning, citing the Washington Hilton’s security vulnerabilities as a primary justification.
It’s time to build the ballroom. The White House ballroom will ensure the safety and security of the President for decades to come and prevent future assassination attempts on the President at the Washington Hilton.
The preservation group, which filed the lawsuit in December after the demolition of the East Wing to make way for the ballroom, is reviewing the DOJ’s demand with legal counsel. The project, funded primarily by private donations, includes bunker construction and security upgrades paid for by public funds. Critics argue the project prioritizes Trump’s legacy over historical preservation and fiscal responsibility.
Republicans Rally Behind Ballroom Project
In the wake of the shooting, Trump and Republican lawmakers intensified their push for the ballroom, framing it as a national security necessity. Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham echoed Trump’s calls, emphasizing the facility’s hardened security features. Even Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat, acknowledged the vulnerability of large-scale events like the Correspondents’ Dinner and expressed support for the project. The episode underscores ongoing debates over balancing security, historical preservation, and taxpayer priorities in federal projects.