Trump claims White House ballroom needs rooftop 'DronePort' for national security, attacks judge blocking project

President Trump posted on Truth Social defending his controversial $400 million White House ballroom expansion by claiming it would include a rooftop 'DronePort' for national security purposes. He stated the facility would be 'perhaps, the most sophisticated anywhere in the World' and argued that Washington D.C. 'can no longer be defended with only rifles and pistols.' Trump also attacked U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, who had issued a legal halt to the project, warning him not to 'play games with America's Security' and stating the judge would be 'held accountable' if the project remained stalled. The new national security justification represents the latest rationale for a project that has faced congressional and judicial opposition. The 'DronePort' claim appears to have no basis in actual security planning or documented defense needs.

"The DronePort at the White House Ballroom will be, perhaps, the most sophisticated anywhere in the World! We can no longer defend with rifles and pistols." — Trump's Truth Social post defending the ballroom project and threatening Judge Leon with being 'held accountable' if he continues blocking construction