US DOJ Seeks to Lift Injunction on White House Ballroom Renovation, Citing National Security

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) requested on the 25th that a federal court lift an injunction halting President Trump's plan to renovate a ballroom in the East Wing of the White House. According to Reuters, the DOJ argued that the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner held at the Washington Hilton on April 25 highlights the critical importance of ballroom security. President Trump announced in the fall of 2025 that he would build a national ballroom in the East Wing capable of accommodating 1,000 people. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a non-profit organization authorized by Congress, filed a lawsuit, claiming the project lacked congressional review. In late March, a federal judge ruled that the renovation must be approved by Congress and issued a stay of construction. In a filing yesterday, the DOJ stated that the shooting incident underscores the need for the White House, including the ballroom, to have state-of-the-art security, emphasizing its relevance to national security. The DOJ also requested that the judge dismiss the lawsuit. The National Trust for Historic Preservation stated that it would not withdraw the lawsuit despite the DOJ's request following the April 25 shooting.