Construction continues on the lower levels of the White House ballroom on 19 May 2026 in Washington, DC. The Trump administration has urged a court to allow the construction of the ballroom, arguing that a recent shooting near the presidential residence highlights urgent national security needs.

• The US Justice Department has asked a federal court to lift an injunction blocking President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom project, citing urgent security concerns after a shooting outside the White House.
• The department argues the incident underscores the need for “state-of-the-art security” and is also seeking dismissal of a lawsuit brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
• The shooting occurred near a White House security perimeter when a suspect opened fire before being shot by Secret Service agents, with one bystander also injured.

The Justice ‌Department has again asked a federal court to lift an injunction holding ‌up progress on President ⁠Donald Trump’s ballroom project, saying Saturday’s shooting ⁠outside the White House showed an urgent need for improved security.

The Justice Department, in a five-page court ‌filing on Sunday, said the incident underscores the critical need for “top-level, state-of-the-art security at the White House, including the ballroom,” adding that it was vital for national security. It also asks for the lawsuit ‌challenging the ⁠project to be dismissed.

READ | Trump safe as US Secret Service kills gunman who opened fire near White House

The department had previously asked a federal judge to throw out the lawsuit over the ballroom after a foiled attack at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in April.

The lawsuit was filed by the National Trust for ⁠Historic Preservation, a congressionally chartered nonprofit organisation. It said it would not drop its lawsuit after the attack in April, despite ⁠the Justice Department’s request. The gunman who fired at a White House checkpoint on Saturday was shot by ⁠officers and died after being taken to ‌the hospital on ‌Saturday evening, the Secret Service said.

Trump was in the White House at the time - on a day when he was working to negotiate a deal with Iran - but was not impacted by the incident, Secret Service communications chief Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement.

The confrontation took place just after 18:00 (22:00 GMT) when a man near the White House security perimeter “pulled a weapon from his bag and began firing”.

“Secret Service Police returned fire, striking the suspect, who was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. During the shooting, one bystander was also struck by gunfire,” Guglielmi said, without giving details on the bystander’s condition.

Multiple US media outlets identified the suspect as Nasire Best, 21, of Maryland, reporting that Best had a history of mental health concerns and had multiple prior interactions with Secret Service members.

No Secret Service officers were hurt.

Additional reporting by AFP