Story perspectives

Graham Proposes $400 M White House Ballroom After Assassination Attempt

4/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Budget Chairman Lindsey Graham introduced a $400 million bill to fund a White House ballroom, citing the April 25 shooting.
Cole Tomas Allen opened fire at White House dinner April 25, 2026, to kill President Donald Trump and was charged April 27 with assassination.
President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson said the ballroom will keep events secure.
The Justice Department urged National Trust for Historic Preservation to drop lawsuit as frivolous.

History

Historical Context

In 1995 the Oklahoma City bombing killed 168 people and prompted Congress under President Bill Clinton to spend over $600 million upgrading security at federal facilities. That pattern reappeared after the April 25 2026 White House shooting by Cole Tomas Allen, when Senator Lindsey Graham introduced a $400 million ballroom-fund proposal backed by Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson.

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Story summary

Budget Chairman Lindsey Graham introduced a $400 million bill to fund a White House ballroom, citing the April 25 shooting.
Cole Tomas Allen opened fire at White House dinner April 25, 2026, to kill President Donald Trump and was charged April 27 with assassination.
President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson said the ballroom will keep events secure.
The Justice Department urged National Trust for Historic Preservation to drop lawsuit as frivolous.

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