Republicans in Congress push for Trump's White House ballroom after
shooting at media dinner
[April 28, 2026]
By MARY CLARE JALONICK
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans in Congress launched new efforts Monday to
approve and pay for President Donald Trump’s proposed ballroom at the
White House, arguing that it would help avert security breaches like the
shooting at Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
A new bill introduced by Republican senators would authorize $400
million — roughly the cost of the project — for construction and
security infrastructure underneath. Trump has said that private money
would pay for the ballroom, but Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South
Carolina, one of the sponsors, said Monday that he believes those
private dollars should only pay for “buying china and stuff like that.”
Graham said at a news conference that some people may think the ballroom
was Trump’s “vanity project,” but said it is necessary to allow the
president to hold events safely and avoid much less secure venues like
the Washington Hilton, where Saturday’s event was held. The man who
authorities say tried to storm the dinner with guns and knives had
reserved a room in the hotel, according to an FBI affidavit filed in the
case.
“It would be insane” to hold the dinner there again, Graham said, adding
that he would advise any president not to do it, even as Trump has said
he would like the dinner to be rescheduled.
Cole Tomas Allen appeared in court Monday to face federal charges of
attempting to assassinate Trump after the encounter Saturday in which
shots were fired outside the ballroom. The president was evacuated off
the stage as thousands of guests dived under tables and ducked for
cover.
Other lawmakers said they would push their own measures to approve the
ballroom, including Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., and Republican Sens.
Rand Paul of Kentucky and Tim Sheehy of Montana.
“It is an embarrassment to the strongest nation on earth that we cannot
host gatherings in our nation’s capital, including ones attended by our
president, without the threat of violence and attempted assassinations,”
Sheehy posted on X.
It is unclear, though, whether the effort could get enough support.
Democrats have opposed the ballroom’s construction since Trump
demolished part of the White House to make way for it without permission
from Congress, and as it has faced lawsuits. House Democratic Leader
Hakeem Jeffries told reporters that the president should be focused on
ending the war with Iran, healthcare and other measures to drive down
living costs.
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“These are the things that we should actually be focused on,"
Jeffries said.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday that Trump wants
to seclude himself in a “walled palace, literally.”
He said Republicans should instead pass a spending bill that
includes money for the U.S. Secret Service, which is part of the
Homeland Security Department and has been shut down for more than
two months. The House has yet to act on two spending bills for the
department that were approved by the Senate.
“If Republicans truly want to improve security, they should join
Democrats in funding the Secret Service, not Donald Trump’s luxury
ballroom,” Schumer said.
Republicans also used the incident to call for the Homeland Security
funding, blaming Democrats who have blocked money for immigration
enforcement agencies since mid-February.
The chaos at the annual dinner came after Trump has faced two
attempts on his life and as members of Congress in both parties have
received an increasing number of death threats in recent years.
Graham said the times are unusual.
“I’ve been up here a while now, and I’ve never felt the sense of
threat that exists today,” he said.
Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, who sponsored the legislation with Graham,
said the bill is not just about Trump.
“This will not be done until the end of his term,” she said. “This
is about future presidents. This is about our nation having a place
to gather.”
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Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report.
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