The Department of Justice is pushing for the immediate construction of a $400 million White House ballroom project, citing a recent shooting near a security checkpoint as proof of its "critical need" for national security.
Top-Secret Features
A filing from the Justice Department details "top secret" features of the proposed ballroom, including a drone-proof roof, missile-resistant columns, blast-proof glass, bomb shelters and military installations.
Constitutional Duties
Government lawyers argue the ballroom is essential for the president to perform constitutional duties safely, protecting against threats and replacing "vulnerable tents" used for events. The project faces a lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation seeking to block construction, which the DOJ called a "great attack on our Country."
The recent incident involved 21-year-old Nasire Best, who was fatally shot by the Secret Service after opening fire near a White House checkpoint, injuring a bystander.
