WASHINGTON, D.C. — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Monday asked a federal judge to lift the injunction that blocked above-ground construction of a new White House ballroom, citing a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner over the weekend. The nine-page filing, submitted late Monday, argued that the incident demonstrates the necessity of the ballroom for presidential security and that construction must proceed.

Federal Judge Richard Leon imposed a preliminary injunction earlier this month that paused above-ground construction until the administration obtains congressional approval. A federal appellate court reviewing the case has temporarily allowed all construction to continue and will hear further arguments in early June. Blanche's filing asks Leon for an indicative ruling on whether he would lift the injunction or dismiss the case if remanded by the appellate court.

"Saturday's narrow miss confirms what should have already been obvious: Presidents need a secure space for large events, that currently does not exist in Washington, D.C.," Blanche said in the filing. "The shooting on Saturday could never have taken place in the new facility and the Project is required for National Security."

The motion includes a sworn affidavit from Secret Service deputy director Matthew Quinn attesting to the security limitations of large off-site venues. "Such events bring members of the public into close proximity of the event, while the White House is a controlled facility with a permanent security infrastructure," Quinn said in the affidavit.

The Trust for Historic Preservation filed the lawsuit against the ballroom construction late last year. The Trust described its action as one "which endangers no one and which respectfully asks the Administration to follow the law." The Trust did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Leon has expressed reservations about the project's $400 million private financing arrangement and the lack of congressional input. Construction of a presidential bunker beneath the East Wing was not subject to the injunction.

Alleged gunman Cole Allen was charged Monday with attempting to assassinate President Trump at the Washington Hilton, where presidents of both parties typically attend events multiple times per year. The building was retrofitted with security measures after the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan outside the Hilton in 1981.