The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) argued in a new court filing that a shooting close to the White House Saturday was a reason for dismissal of a legal challenge to President Donald Trump’s ballroom project.
The filing is the latest attempt by the Trump administration to dismiss efforts to halt or change a plan to replace the East Wing, as critics argue it requires more scrutiny.
Trump and top aides have said building the ballroom is also a national security issue, particularly in the wake of a previous shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which officials said could have been prevented if the event were held in the new ballroom, once complete.
Saturday’s shooting was also viewed by the administration as an attempt on the president’s life, occurring so close to the White House perimeter.
“This second attack on the President this month underscores the critical need for top level, state of the art security at the White House, including the Ballroom, a knitted, unified, cohesive part of the East Wing Project, which is vital for National Security, and is being constructed to ensure that the President can perform his constitutional duties in a safe and heavily secured facility,” the filing read.
White House Shooting: What To Know
Journalists on the White House grounds reported hearing a series of gunshots and were rushed into the press briefing room, where they were told to shelter in place as Secret Service agents responded. The shooting occurred near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, just outside the presidential complex.
According to a Secret Service statement, the suspect approached a checkpoint shortly after 6 p.m., “removed a weapon from his bag and began firing at posted officers.”
Agents returned fire, striking 21-year-old Nasire Best of Maryland, who was taken to a hospital and later died. It remains unclear whether a bystander was struck by gunfire from the suspect or officers.
Agents previously detained Best near the White House on June 26, 2025, accusing him of approaching officers and making threats, NBC News first reported Saturday.
According to District of Columbia court records, Best was arrested in July 2025, charged with attempting to enter a White House security checkpoint without authorization and failing to comply with officers’ commands. During the incident, records say, he “claimed he was Jesus Christ” and told officers he wanted to be arrested.
White House Ballroom for ‘Safety and Security’
In the latest DOJ document, filed in a case in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, officials said the $400 million ballroom was being constructed “for the physical safety and security of all Presidents, their families, staff, Foreign Dignitaries, and guests,” describing it as a safe haven.
The filing outlined some key security features of the new build, particularly in comparison to the temporary tents often used for events at the White House, which it said were not safe or secure from threats.
Trump’s ballroom would have “the highest degree of bullet stoppage,” as well as other state-of-the-art security features to protect those living and working in the building.
The facility would include:
- Bomb shelters
- A state-of-the-art hospital and medical facilities
- Military installations, structures and equipment
- Missile-resistant and drone-proof columns
- Bullet, ballistic and blast-proof glass
- A drone port
- Government-sniped facilities.
The DOJ said the latter two had been revealed, at potential risk to the U.S., because of the lawsuit brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Under the plan, the ballroom would be hermetically sealed rather than having air conditioning or other equipment on the roof, which the DOJ said would prevent “malign forces” from contaminating the air inside.
Two Attempted Shootings in One Month
The DOJ said the need to move forward with the ballroom’s construction was greater than ever, given the two shooting attempts in recent weeks.
As well as the events of Saturday, an armed man was able to get close to the room where Trump was attending the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the end of April.
The suspect, Cole Allen, did not fire any shots but was charged with attempted assassination of the president as well as a number of firearms counts.
In its filing, the DOJ said the incident, which happened away from White House grounds, again highlighted the necessity to build.
“The Project is vital for National Security, and is an invaluable gift from President Trump and many patriotic private donors who have given Hundreds of Millions of Dollars to build this Project, and support our Country, for the benefit and protection of all future Presidents, their families, staffs, visitors, and others,” it read.
Newsweek reached out to the National Trust for comment via email Monday afternoon. After the April incident, and similar calls for dismissal, the organization said it would not voluntarily pull the complaint, saying it just wanted the Trump administration to follow the law.
What Happens Next
Construction is allowed to continue through June 5, with an injunction on hold until then.
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