President Donald Trump is pressing the case for a controversial $400 million project to construct a 1,000-seat ballroom at the White House following a shooting at the Washington Hilton. An armed attacker was arrested on Saturday night as he rushed toward the ballroom where the President was attending the White House Correspondents Association’s annual dinner. The venue is located a few blocks north of the White House.
Trump, who has wanted the facility for years, used a press conference on Saturday and a social media post on Sunday to add a security rationale to the initiative. He and his allies argue that the shooting bolsters their case, claiming that a White House ballroom would be far more secure than any hotel facility.
The President further reiterated via social media that the ballroom is a matter of national security. Regarding the planning of the project, Trump stated, "This is why we have to have all of the attributes of what we're planning at the White House."