Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on a US judge who halted construction of his proposed $400m (£297m) White House ballroom project, as he unveiled plans for a 'DronePort' on the building's roof. The US president shared mock-up images on Truth Social on Sunday, insisting the drone port is essential for national security.
In the post, Trump warned Judge Richard Leon not to play 'games with America’s Security', adding: 'If anything happens, he will be held responsible for the Death and Destruction caused to our Country.' Judge Leon, appointed by George W Bush in 2002, temporarily halted the project in March after the National Trust for Historic Preservation sued the White House.
Trump reiterated the need for the project, claiming the drone port would be 'the most sophisticated anywhere in the World' and would 'safeguard our Nation’s Capital, Washington, D.C., long into the future'. He argued that modern weaponry means 'we can no longer defend Washington, D.C., with rifles and pistols, alone'.
Trump also railed against an unnamed woman challenging the project, calling her 'a highly litigious woman (serial plaintiff!)' with 'absolutely no STANDING' and demanding the case 'be dismissed, IMMEDIATELY'. The East Wing of the White House, built in 1902, was demolished in October to make way for the ballroom.
Trump has said private donors would cover the $400m construction costs but has requested $1bn (£743m) in taxpayer funding for security, roughly one sixth of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services annual budget. He evaded a question about whether he would contribute more of his own money if Congress rejects the funding. A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos survey in April found 56% of US adults opposed the project.
