Senator John Fetterman threw his support behind President Donald Trump's long-proposed White House State Ballroom on Sunday, citing a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner as proof of its necessity.

The incident unfolded Saturday evening at the Washington Hilton during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner, attended by Trump, his Cabinet, lawmakers from both parties and about 2,300 guests. A 31-year-old suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, who traveled from California, breached security and opened fire with a shotgun, handgun and knives. He struck a Secret Service agent in the vest, causing no serious injury, before law enforcement took him into custody. Secret Service agents rushed Trump, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and others, including Fetterman and his wife Gisele, to safety.

Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat who was front and center at the event, posted on X: "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." He referenced Trump Derangement Syndrome, or TDS, and shared a report criticizing the Hilton's security as inadequate for such a high-profile gathering.

The proposed ballroom, a 90,000-square-foot facility on the site of the demolished East Wing, aims to host large state events securely inside White House grounds. Announced in July 2025 at an initial $200 million cost—now estimated at $400 million—it is largely funded by private donors including Trump. Designed by architects to match the White House's classical style, it features advanced security, including a subterranean bunker, and a capacity for 900 seated guests, far exceeding the East Room's 200.

Construction began in September 2025 after East Wing demolition, with approvals from the National Capital Planning Commission in April 2026 despite public opposition. Preservationists sued in December, arguing lack of congressional authorization, leading to court halts on above-ground work while allowing the bunker. The Justice Department now cites the shooting to urge dropping the suit, calling off-site venues like the Hilton "demonstrably unsafe."

Trump echoed the sentiment on Truth Social: "This event would never have happened with the Militarily Top Secret Ballroom currently under construction at the White House. It cannot be built fast enough!" He called the lawsuit "ridiculous." Others, including former Fox host Geraldo Rivera and Reps. Randy Fine and Tim Burchett, agreed the incident underscores security risks for events drawing the presidential line of succession.

Fetterman has defended the project before. In August 2025, he called it a "tasteful" upgrade amid Democratic criticism, saying there was no need to "freak out." His stance highlights his independent streak, including recent breaks with party lines on issues like Iran.

Democrats have labeled the ballroom a vanity project, but the shooting has intensified bipartisan calls for secure venues. The project remains on track for completion before Trump's term ends, pending legal resolution.