Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has requested a federal judge to overturn a previous ruling that suspended construction of President Donald Trump’s $400 million ballroom at the White House, citing the recent shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.
The Secret Service is responsible for protecting the White House, White House grounds, and adjacent buildings. Temporary venues, on the other hand, present complex security challenges, Blanche pointed out.
The DOJ's efforts to overturn the ruling marks the latest developments in the legal battle between the Trump administration and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The group believes that Trump had overstepped his authority by moving forward with the project without first getting approval from key federal agencies and Congress.
The group launched its lawsuit in December, a week after the White House finished demolishing the East Wing to make way for the ballroom.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon granted a request by the preservation group for a preliminary injunction to temporarily suspend above-ground construction of the project. Construction of a presidential bunker beneath the East Wing was not covered under the injunction.
Additionally, the judge said he reviewed material from the government before concluding that halting construction would not jeopardize national security.
On Monday, the DOJ sent a letter to the National Trust for Historic Preservation that gave them until Monday at 9 a.m. to drop its lawsuit.
In response to the DOJ’s demand, the organization stated it doesn’t intend to drop its lawsuit.
“We are not planning to voluntarily dismiss our lawsuit, which endangers no one and which respectfully asks the Administration to follow the law,” she added, saying that the building lawfully requires the approval of Congress.
The ballroom, which Trump said can fit 999 people, is funded by private donations. Security upgrades and bunker construction would be paid for with public money.