Senator John Fetterman Backs White House Ballroom After Hilton Shooting

On Saturday night, 31-year-old Cole Thomas (or Tomas) Allen breached security at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, wounding a Secret Service agent and forcing President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Speaker Mike Johnson and over 2,000 guests to evacuate. Trump immediately cited the breach as proof that a secure, on-site White House ballroom is essential.

Newsweek

The administration has pursued a privately funded $400 million, 90,000-sq-ft ballroom on White House grounds since September 2025, featuring bullet-proof glass and drone-proofing. A district judge halted construction on March 31 pending congressional approval; a federal appeals court later allowed limited work to continue until early June.

The Hill

Key figures include President Donald Trump, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), National Trust CEO Carol Quillen, Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate, Judge Richard J. Leon, and suspect Cole Thomas/Tomas Allen.

Hannity (website)

The shooting occurred Saturday; Trump briefed Sunday and Fetterman posted on X. Judge Leon halted construction on March 31; an appeals-court stay permits limited work until early June. The ballroom costs $400 million, spans 90,000 sq ft, and the dinner hosted over 2,000 guests. The 31-year-old suspect used a shotgun, handgun and knives, injuring one Secret Service agent (vest hit).

Newsweek

The White House called the Hilton breach ‘extraordinary security challenges’ that a dedicated ballroom would resolve. The DOJ labeled the National Trust lawsuit ‘frivolous’ and a safety risk, while the Trust argues it enforces historic-preservation law and requires congressional oversight.

The Hill

Preservationists say the ballroom would disrupt the White House’s historic symmetry; several Democrats deem the $400 million cost unnecessary and argue existing venues could be upgraded. The lawsuit claims the administration lacks statutory authority without congressional approval.

The Hill

• “We were there front and center. That venue wasn’t built to accommodate an event with the line of succession for the U.S. government. After witnessing last night, drop the TDS and build the White House ballroom for events exactly like these,” — Sen. John Fetterman, D-PA

The Hill

• “I didn’t want to say this, but this is why we have to have all of the attributes of what we’re planning at the White House. It’s actually a larger room, and it’s much more secure. It’s got — it’s drone-proof. It’s bulletproof glass. We need the ballroom,” — President Donald Trump

The Hill

• “[Y]our lawsuit puts the lives of the president, his family, and his staff at grave risk,” — Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate

Hannity (website)

• “Building it lawfully requires the approval of Congress, which the Administration could seek at any time.” — Carol Quillen, CEO, National Trust for Historic Preservation

TND - The National Desk

Sources differ on the suspect’s middle name (Thomas vs. Tomas) and whether he targeted Trump; motive remains under investigation.

Newsweek

The DOJ seeks dismissal of the lawsuit while Congress considers an authorization bill. A federal hearing on the injunction is set for late June, after which construction could resume.

The Hill