Trump administration again seeks White House ballroom construction, citing nearby shooting

President Donald Trump has filed an appeal with a federal court seeking to overturn a temporary ruling that blocked construction of a new ballroom at the White House. The filing, made on May 31, cites a shooting near the White House on May 24 as evidence of the urgent need for enhanced security.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, in the court filing, argued that completing the ballroom is 'urgent.' Blanche wrote: 'This is a horrific incident, causing severe harm to America and everything America stands for!' He accused the lawsuit of stalling construction work.

According to court documents, on May 24, suspect Nasire Best, 21, approached a White House security checkpoint in Washington DC, drew a firearm and opened fire. A bystander was wounded, and the suspect was killed after a gunfight with the U.S. Secret Service. Gunfire echoed across the White House grounds, forcing many journalists to scramble for cover.

This is the second incident targeting President Trump within a month, according to Blanche. Earlier, on April 25, suspect Cole Tomas Allen, 31, attempted to breach the security perimeter at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, where President Trump and senior officials were present. Allen was arrested after a gunfight with security forces.

Blanche argued: 'The second attack on the President this month further underscores the urgent need for state-of-the-art security at the White House, including the ballroom.' He added that the ballroom 'is being built to ensure the President can carry out his constitutional duties in a safe and highly protected facility.'

President Trump also made a similar statement on Truth Social, linking the recent shooting to the ballroom project. He wrote: 'This event, occurring one month after the shooting at the White House Correspondents' dinner, shows the importance of building the safest and most secure space ever constructed in Washington DC, for all future presidents.'

However, President Trump faces multiple legal and political hurdles. On March 31, Federal Judge Richard Leon issued a temporary restraining order against the ballroom construction. Judge Leon allowed exceptions for work 'necessary to ensure the safety and security of the White House,' but emphasized that 'bare assertions of national security' would not be accepted to override his ruling. He ordered the Trump administration to seek congressional approval for the project, and until then, 'construction must stop.'

In recent weeks, President Trump asked Congress for an additional $1 billion for the ballroom project, but even Republican lawmakers have objected to the price tag. Trump's proposal to add $1 billion to an immigration enforcement funding bill was rejected by the Senate last week. Some opposed due to cost, while others argued the unrelated expenditure would disqualify the bill from passing with a simple majority.

Previously, President Trump insisted the ballroom would be funded entirely through private donations. However, costs have steadily escalated. Last year, he estimated construction costs at $200 million. By December, he raised the estimate to $400 million. Over the past month, the total cost has ballooned to $1 billion in taxpayer money, ostensibly earmarked for security upgrades.

On May 19, while leading reporters on a tour of the construction site, President Trump maintained that all costs were paid by himself. 'All of this is paid for by me. We are giving this gift. It’s a gift. It will not be paid for with taxpayer money,' he said. However, when questioned about the soaring costs on May 12, he grew irritated: 'I doubled the size, you idiot. Doubled the size. You’re not a smart person.'

The project has also faced criticism for lack of transparency and external approval. According to newly revealed details, the ballroom spans approximately 8,360 square meters, including six underground floors with a military hospital, and is slated for completion by September 2028. Blanche’s court filing also details security features: 'The ballroom includes a bomb shelter, a modern hospital and medical facility, top-secret military facilities, protective barriers, and other features.' The 'highly protected' roof is expected to include a 'large drone port and government sniper positions.'

The plaintiff – the National Trust for Historic Preservation – argues the Trump administration acted without oversight. The lawsuit, filed in December 2025, alleges that the law requires approval not only from Congress but also from the National Capital Planning Commission. Moreover, 'no adequate public environmental assessment' was conducted before the administration demolished the East Wing of the White House in October 2025 to make way for the massive structure. The complaint states: 'No president is allowed to demolish parts of the White House without any review – not President Trump, President Biden, or anyone else. This effort by President Trump must be stopped immediately.'