Fetterman rallies Democrats behind Trump's ballroom after gunman ran past WHCD checkpoints

WASHINGTON, DC: Sen John Fetterman is urging fellow Democrats to support the construction of a new ballroom at the White House following the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump and senior officials at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Fetterman argued on Monday, April 27, that the current venue, Washington Hilton, is not equipped to safely host events involving the top levels of government.

John Fetterman says 'venue wasn't built for this'

Reflecting on the incident, Fetterman said the hotel could not adequately handle the security demands of an event attended by the president, vice president, and thousands of guests.

“We were there front and center. That venue wasn’t built to accommodate an event with the line of succession for the US government,” he said, calling for construction of a dedicated White House ballroom.

Concerns over security intensified after reports highlighted weaknesses in access control at the hotel. Media executive Joe DePaolo noted that entry to parts of the venue appeared lax, raising broader questions about screening procedures.

Investigators say the suspect, identified as Cole Thomas Allen, managed to enter the hotel by booking a room and bypassed key checkpoints before attempting to storm the event.

Suspect exploited security gaps

Authorities revealed that the attacker ran past magnetometers on the terrace level and had earlier mocked the venue’s security in a message shared with family members. The dinner was attended by top officials, including Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Following the incident, President Donald Trump reiterated his call for a secure, purpose-built ballroom at the White House, describing it as “drone-proof” and fitted with bulletproof glass.

Legal battle over construction continues

The proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom has sparked a legal fight, with the National Trust for Historic Preservation suing to block the project over concerns it would alter the White House’s historic character.

A federal judge, Richard J Leon, recently halted construction pending congressional approval, though an appeals court has temporarily allowed work to proceed.

In the wake of the attack, the Department of Justice has urged preservationists to drop their lawsuit, arguing that the attempted assassination underscores the urgent need for enhanced security infrastructure.