By Charlie McCarthy | Tuesday, April 28, 2026
The Justice Department filed a late-night court motion Monday seeking an order from U.S. District Judge Richard Leon to lift his injunction halting construction of President Donald Trump’s proposed White House ballroom. In the filing, top DOJ officials argued that the weekend’s attempted assassination at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner underscores the urgent need for a secure on-site facility capable of protecting the president and senior officials during large events.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and other officials wrote to Judge Leon: “After the Saturday night attempted assassination … reasonable minds can no longer differ — The injunction must be dissolved.”
The DOJ’s motion asserts that the proposed $400 million ballroom, designed with reinforced concrete and steel construction, bulletproof glass, drone-resistant roofing, and integrated security systems, would eliminate vulnerabilities exposed by the incident. Federal officials claim such a facility would have prevented Saturday night’s attack and cite multiple assassination attempts against Trump since 2024 as evidence that current protections are insufficient.
The motion also targets the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the nonprofit group that filed the lawsuit blocking construction. DOJ lawyers accused the organization of obstructing national security efforts by disregarding warnings from military and intelligence officials regarding the facility’s sensitive nature.
In response, Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust, stated the group does not intend to drop the case and emphasized that congressional approval is required before such construction can proceed. “We have always acknowledged the utility of a larger meeting space at the White House,” Quillen said, adding that the administration could seek authorization from Congress at any time.
Judge Leon had previously halted aboveground construction due to a lack of congressional approval. An appeals court has temporarily paused that order while legal proceedings continue.
Support for the ballroom project has grown among Republicans and some security officials following Saturday’s incident. Advocates argue the facility would enhance security and ensure the president can safely carry out official duties without relying on vulnerable external locations.
The DOJ is urging the court to act swiftly, framing the issue as a critical matter of national security that cannot afford further delay.
