The Department of Justice has weaponized a weekend shooting in Washington to pressure a historic preservation group into abandoning its legal challenge to Donald Trump's $400 million White House ballroom project.
Trump officials, including Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, seized on Saturday's shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner to argue the new ballroom is essential infrastructure. In a letter posted Sunday, the Justice Department's Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate told lawyers for the National Trust for Historic Preservation that their lawsuit was frivolous and demanded immediate withdrawal or face dismissal motions.
"Put simply, your lawsuit puts the lives of the President, his family, and staff at grave risk," Shumate wrote, claiming the Washington Hilton, currently the only ballroom large enough for such events, was "demonstrably unsafe." He argued the proposed 1,000-seat ballroom on the White House grounds was essential for presidential security.
Trump himself echoed the argument on Truth Social, claiming security agencies and "every President for the last 150 years" had demanded such a facility. Blanche amplified the message on X, simply posting "It's time to build the ballroom."
The legal battle over the ballroom has dragged on for months. Trump demolished the White House's historic East Wing last year to make way for the project, which the preservation trust says exceeded his authority without congressional approval. In March, federal judge Richard Leon granted the trust's request for a preliminary injunction halting construction. But a three-judge appellate panel stayed that order earlier this month, allowing work to continue while litigation proceeds.
The trust has already signaled it won't back down. Following the appeals court's decision in April, it vowed to pursue the case, stating it remains "committed to honoring the historic significance of the White House" and demonstrating that broad consultation produces better outcomes. The next hearing is tentatively scheduled for June 5.
Shumate offered to meet with the trust's lawyers Monday to discuss "ending this unnecessary and dangerous litigation."
Author James Rodriguez: "Using a tragedy to bulldoze legal opposition is a brazen move, but expect this pressure campaign to intensify until the preservation group gives up or the courts decide the merits."
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