DOJ Claims Trump Ballroom Opponents Suffer from 'Trump Derangement Syndrome'

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a new motion arguing that President Donald Trump’s proposed ballroom is a “gift to the American people,” while dismissing opponents as suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” The filing, submitted by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, responds to a lawsuit by the National Trust for Historic Preservation challenging the project.

In the motion, the DOJ claims the ballroom is essential for presidential security, citing recent events such as the White House Correspondents’ Dinner assassination attempt. The filing states:

“The assassination attempts make clear what Defendants have been explaining from the start of the case: Presidents need a secure space for significant events, which currently does not exist in Washington, D.C., and this Court’s injunction stalling this Project cannot defensibly continue. To ensure construction proceeds, and to conserve judicial resources, this Court should immediately issue a ruling indicating that it would dissolve its injunction at once.”

The DOJ describes the ballroom as a “Militarily Top Secret Ballroom” with advanced security features, including:

• Missile-resistant steel columns
• Military-grade venting
• Drone-proof ceilings
• Bullet-, ballistic-, and blast-proof glass

The estimated cost of the project is at least $1 billion.

The DOJ also alleges that the lawsuit is politically motivated, stating:

“That fact is also relevant to the merits here because it is further evidence that rank political bias led to this meritless, dangerous lawsuit being filed. A bipartisan chorus of legislators, analysts, and media pundits have agreed the Ballroom is needed more than ever. The Ballroom is a gift to the People of the United States and to future Presidents.”

The filing concludes by urging the court to dismiss the lawsuit and lift the injunction, calling the ballroom a “vital for National Security Project.”