Trump wants $1B to protect White House ballroom from drones and other threats

The Trump administration has requested $1 billion from taxpayers for security additions on the White House campus, including for a new ballroom being constructed on the site of the former East Wing. The Senate parliamentarian ruled the proposal could not be included in a bill to fund immigrant enforcement agencies, and several Republican lawmakers have objected to the price tag during an election year. Trump claims the ballroom will have a "drone-proof" steel roof designed to double as a drone port to protect Washington, with military supervision.

Source: Ars Technica | 2026-05-20