Trump’s White House ballroom project was put on hold due to security measures due to the recent shooting.
The Justice Department has again asked a federal court to lift an injunction blocking progress on President Donald Trump’s ballroom project, saying Saturday’s shooting outside the White House shows the urgent need for better security.
The Justice Department said in a five-page court filing on Sunday that the incident underscores the critical need for “top-level, state-of-the-art security at the White House, including the ballroom,” adding that it is critical to national security.
It also requested dismissal of the lawsuit challenging the project.
The DOJ previously asked a federal judge to throw out the lawsuit against the ballroom after the failed 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.
It said it would not drop its lawsuit after the attack in April, despite requests from the Justice Department.
A gunman who opened fire near the White House checkpoint on Saturday was shot by officers and later died at a hospital, according to the Secret Service.
In its filing the Justice Department cited the incident, along with previous security fears, as justification for allowing the project to proceed.
The court has not yet ruled on the request.
Additionally, the Secret Service said the gunman who opened fire at a White House checkpoint on Saturday was shot by officers and died after being taken to a hospital on Saturday evening.
