Ballroom construction must go on as a matter of "security," Trump admin says
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Demolition work continues where the East Wing once stood at the White House on Dec. 8 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The Trump administration argued in a Monday filing that construction on the president's massive ballroom project must continue due to "security concerns."
Why it matters: The president often invokes national security as a core motivator and justification for his sweeping policy changes, from immigration to trade policy to his overhaul of the federal workforce.
Driving the news: The Justice Department argued in the 36-page filing that "below-grade work" on the project should continue, "given the security concerns inherent in leaving the East Wing foundation area unfinished."
- The government also submitted a declaration from Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn, who said any pause in construction would "hamper the Secret Service's ability to meet its statutory obligations and protective mission."
- He said "improvements to the site are still needed" to meet the USSS' security requirements, but did not elaborate on what those were.
- The East Wing sat above an emergency bunker for the president before its demolition earlier this year.
Catch up quick: The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to halt the construction of the ballroom until reviews were completed earlier this month, arguing that "[n]o president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review whatsoever."
- The National Trust told Axios they are only speaking about the ballroom project in court.
The government further stated that the National Park Service anticipates that work on footings and structural concrete should start in January and February. Above-grade structural work isn't expected to begin until April at the earliest.
- And "[i]n an exercise of its discretion," the filing reads, the Executive Office of the President is set to submit drafted drawings to the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the U.S. Commission on Fine Arts (CFA).
- It also states the National Trust's arguments are "moot" because the East Wing demolition can't be undone and "unripe" because the plans are not final.
Flashback: After previously saying his ballroom construction plans wouldn't interfere with the current building, Trump said the existing East Wing structure had to go for his expansion project.
- In an October letter, the National Trust's president expressed deep concern that the new construction would "overwhelm the White House itself."
What's next: A hearing in the case is scheduled for Tuesday in D.C.
Go deeper: Trump's new ballroom architect has fingerprints all over D.C.
