The U.S. Department of Justice has requested a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit that has obstructed President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom project, citing the opponents’ bias against Trump and highlighting a recent alleged assassination attempt on the president as a reason for the necessity of the project.
In a court filing on Monday night, the Justice Department argued that the thwarted attack at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner over the weekend underscored the importance of having a White House ballroom for national security purposes. They emphasized that the lawsuit against the project would not have occurred if any other president had the capability to construct a ballroom of such high security standards.
Critics raised concerns over the tone and style of the legal filing, noting similarities to Trump’s social media communication style. Legal experts, including Thomas Berry from the libertarian Cato Institute, criticized the use of unconventional language in a legal document.
The filing also criticized the preservationist group behind the lawsuit, labeling them as detrimental to the country and accusing them of suffering from “TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME.” The Justice Department urged U.S. District Judge Richard Leon to dismiss the lawsuit brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, arguing that the group’s claims lacked merit.
Earlier, Judge Leon had issued an injunction halting above-ground construction of the ballroom, citing the need for congressional approval for the project. However, the injunction was temporarily stayed by an appeals court, allowing construction to continue for now.
Despite the Justice Department’s request, the National Trust for Historic Preservation stated that they would not withdraw their lawsuit, asserting that it was a lawful challenge that aimed to ensure compliance with legal procedures.
The individual charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump at the Washington dinner venue could potentially face life imprisonment if convicted.