After the recent shooting near the White House, the US Attorney General called for the construction of the White House Ballroom | Today’s news
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche asked a federal court on Sunday (May 25) to allow construction of a proposed White House ballroom to proceed, saying the recent shooting near the White House underscores the urgent need for a strengthened presidential security infrastructure.
Blanche said in a court filing that the incident showed why the administration considers the ballroom project critical to national security.
“This second attack on the president this month underscores the critical need for the highest level, state-of-the-art security in the White House, including the Ballroom,” Blanche wrote.
He described the ballroom as a “knitted, unified, cohesive part of the East Wing project” that is “vital to national security.”
The filing cites a weekend shooting near the White House
The legal filing comes after a gunman allegedly opened fire near a White House Secret Service checkpoint Saturday night.
Secret Service agents returned fire, fatally wounding the suspect, officials said. A bystander was also injured in the incident.
Blanche argued that the episode reinforced the administration’s claim that the president required more secure facilities for official functions and diplomatic events.
“Without a ballroom, the President cannot safely conduct the business of the United States,” the filing states.
A court battle over the construction of a ballroom
The proposed ballroom became the center of an escalating legal and political dispute.
Last month, federal judge Richard Leon temporarily halted construction until the administration secured congressional approval for the project.
But the appeals court later allowed work to continue temporarily until at least early June, when the panel of judges is expected to hear arguments in the case.
The dispute intensified after a Senate lawmaker reportedly ruled that $1 billion in security funding related to the ballroom could not be included in the congressional reconciliation package. Congress then adjourned without passing the measure.
Blanche calls the ballroom a “safe haven”
In the latest submission, Blanche described the ballroom as a heavily fortified facility designed to protect the president, foreign dignitaries and White House staff.
“The Ballroom is being built for the physical safety and security of all Presidents, their families, staff, foreign dignitaries and guests,” Blanche wrote.
He also called the facility: a “SAFE HAVEN” compared to the temporary tent structures currently used during state dinners and major White House events.
Security features detailed in submission
The filing outlined an extensive list of security measures planned for the ballroom complex, including:
– Heavy steel construction
-Bulletproof pillars
-Bulletproof, ballistic and bulletproof glass
-Military air filtration and ventilation systems
– Medical and hospital facilities
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