The Justice Department has ordered a legal group to withdraw its lawsuit blocking construction of a new White House ballroom, citing security risks following a recent assassination attempt on President Donald Trump.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s office sent a letter on April 26 to attorneys representing the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which has obtained a court injunction halting the project. The government set a Monday morning deadline for the group to drop the case or face federal action to dissolve the injunction.
The Security Argument
Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate wrote that an incident the previous night underscored the need for a secure, on-site venue for presidential events. “Last night, there was another attempt on President Trump’s life. This time, the shooter targeted President Trump at the Washington Hilton, the only ballroom in Washington, D.C. suitable to host large gatherings for the President,” Shumate said in the letter.
The proposed White House ballroom would replace an on-site venue, according to the administration. Currently, the East Wing remains partially dismantled, which officials characterized as a security vulnerability during construction.
Shumate warned the plaintiffs that their legal challenge posed risks to the president and his family. “Put simply, your lawsuit puts the lives of the President, his family, and his staff at grave risk,” he wrote.
The Legal Pressure
The Justice Department indicated it would move to dismiss the case and dissolve the existing court order if the National Trust for Historic Preservation did not voluntarily withdraw by the specified deadline. Shumate concluded his correspondence by stating, “Enough is enough. Your client should voluntarily dismiss this frivolous lawsuit today in light of last night’s assassination attempt on President Trump.”
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has not publicly responded to the government’s ultimatum as of publication.
This story has been updated. CNN’s reporting staff contributed to this report.