DOJ seeks court relief to resume White House Ballroom project after shooting

Trump's White House Ballroom project was halted over security measures due to the recent shooting attack.

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.

The DOJ 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 organization. 

It said it would not drop its lawsuit after the attack in April, despite the Justice Department's request.

According to the Secret Service, a gunman who opened fire near a White House checkpoint on Saturday was shot by officers and later died in hospital.

The Justice Department cited the incident in its filing, along with a previous security scare, as justification for allowing the project to proceed.

The court has not yet ruled on the request.

Additionally, 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.