The Justice Department on Monday night formally requested that a federal judge dismiss a lawsuit that has stood in the way of plans to add a ballroom to the White House, arguing in court papers that a recent, allegedly violent incident at a Washington dinner underscores the project's national security importance.
In a nine-page brief filed over the weekend, department lawyers said Saturday's foiled attack at the White House Correspondents Association dinner demonstrated why a White House ballroom is required for national security. The filing described the planned facility in sweeping terms, saying that "If any other President had the ability, foresight, or talents necessary, to build this ballroom, which will be one of the greatest, safest, and most secure structures of its kind anywhere in the World, there would never have been a lawsuit."
The filing continued: "But, because it is DONALD J. TRUMP, a highly successful real estate developer, who has abilities that others don’t, especially those who assume the Office of President, this frivolous and meritless lawsuit was filed." The department also characterized the preservationist group behind the legal challenge as "very bad for our Country," accused it of suffering from "TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME," and asserted the group "is represented by the lawyer for Barack Hussein Obama."
Those remarks came in the Justice Department's request that U.S. District Judge Richard Leon dismiss litigation brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a nonprofit with a congressional charter. The trust argues the administration lacks statutory authority to undertake above-ground construction of the planned ballroom without congressional approval.
Earlier this month, Judge Leon said he agreed with the trust's position and issued an injunction halting "above-ground construction of the planned ballroom." An appeals court, however, quickly put that injunction on hold, and construction has continued while the appellate court considers the matter.
The tone and capitalization used in the Justice Department filing drew rebuke from some legal observers, who said the language appeared to reflect the distinctive style long associated with the president's public communications. Thomas Berry, a lawyer at the Cato Institute, posted on X that "'My client made me write it that way' is not an excuse for inappropriate language in a legal filing, whether your client is a private citizen or the U.S. president."
The National Trust for Historic Preservation said on Monday it does not intend to drop its suit despite the Justice Department's motion to dismiss. "We are not planning to voluntarily dismiss our lawsuit, which endangers no one and which respectfully asks the Administration to follow the law," said Carol Quillen, the head of the trust, in a statement.
Separately, authorities charged the man accused of opening fire at the venue of the Washington dinner attended by the president with attempting to assassinate the U.S. president. The individual, charged on Monday, could face life in prison if convicted, according to the charging decision cited in the court filing and public statements.
The litigation and the recent criminal charge keep open both legal and security questions surrounding the ballroom project. The administration's filing frames the construction as a security-enhancing measure, while the preservation group continues to press its statutory argument in federal court. For now, construction has proceeded under the appeals court's temporary hold of the district court injunction, but the underlying dispute remains unresolved and will be decided through further judicial proceedings.
Context and next steps
The Justice Department's motion asks Judge Leon to dismiss the lawsuit challenging the ballroom. The National Trust has signaled it will continue litigating. The appeals court's stay allowed construction to proceed after the injunction; the status of that stay and any final ruling will depend on ongoing appellate and district court action.