DOJ Cites 90,000-Square-Foot Ballroom to Thwart White House Drone Attacks After UFC Plot
Updated
Updated · CNN · Jun 17
DOJ Cites 90,000-Square-Foot Ballroom to Thwart White House Drone Attacks After UFC Plot
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Jun 17
Summary
Tuesday’s DOJ filing told a federal appeals court that a foiled plot against Sunday’s White House UFC event showed a “compelling need” for Trump’s planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom.
Brett Shumate argued the structure’s mass and height would shield the grounds, improve Secret Service visibility, and support sniper nests and a drone port against threats including drones and a gunman.
Officials said multiple people were charged over the alleged attack plan, which was detected last week even as Trump still attended the outdoor event built with temporary structures on the South Lawn.
The argument comes as a three-judge DC Circuit panel weighs whether Trump can build the ballroom without Congress after a lower court found the project unlawful this spring.
Opponents including the National Trust for Historic Preservation say the case is about legal authority, not security, and note earlier incidents cited by DOJ would not have been solved by a new ballroom.
What legal precedent is set if a president can unilaterally alter a national landmark without congressional approval?
Do publicly detailed defenses like drone ports and sniper nests deter attackers or reveal critical security information?
The $600 Million White House Ballroom: Security, Controversy, and the Fallout from the Foiled UFC Freedom 250 Attack
Overview
On June 15, 2026, the UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House South Lawn became the focus of a major security incident when federal authorities foiled a sophisticated attack plot. The attackers planned to use small drones with explosives and snipers to target senior government officials and wealthy attendees. The FBI, acting on early intelligence, disrupted the multi-pronged scheme before it could be carried out. This incident highlighted new security challenges for high-profile events and played a key role in the administration’s push for advanced protective measures, such as the controversial White House ballroom project.