The U.S. Department of Justice said a lawsuit challenging plans for a new White House ballroom is putting President Donald Trump at risk following what officials described as another assassination attempt.
In a letter dated April 26 to an attorney for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate said the incident underscores the need for a secure, on-site venue instead of large events held outside the White House perimeter.
“Last night, there was another attempt on President Trump’s life. This time, the shooter targeted President Trump at the Washington Hilton, the only ballroom in Washington, D.C. suitable to host large gatherings for the President, where another shooter targeted President Reagan 45 years ago,” Shumate wrote.
He said the venue presents significant security challenges for the Secret Service.
“Put simply, your lawsuit puts the lives of the President, his family, and his staff at grave risk,” Shumate wrote. “I hope yesterday’s narrow miss will help you finally realize the folly of a lawsuit that literally serves no purpose except to stop President Trump no matter the cost.”
The Justice Department is pressing the group to drop its legal challenge to the proposed construction of a new White House ballroom, warning it will move to dissolve the injunction and dismiss the case if the lawsuit is not withdrawn by Monday morning.
“Enough is enough. Your client should voluntarily dismiss this frivolous lawsuit today in light of last night’s assassination attempt on President Trump,” he added.