Trump calls lawsuit against White House ballroom project 'treason', cites military secrecy

WASHINGTON, United States — WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump has attacked critics and plaintiffs of a lawsuit challenging the construction of a ballroom at the White House, accusing them of "treason" for allegedly exposing sensitive military secrets. In a social media post, Trump said the National Trust for Historic Preservation had been warned by military officials and the Secret Service that certain details of the project must remain confidential. He claimed the critics had revealed "extremely sensitive military secrets" and described the parties to the lawsuit as engaged in treason. Trump said the project is necessary for the security of himself, his family and White House staff, arguing that the plans contain sensitive security details. He also criticized Carol Quillen, the former head of the National Trust, and questioned the qualifications of those who filed the lawsuit in matters of national security and presidential protection, describing the project as a facility required for national security. No further details on the lawsuit or the proposed construction timeline were immediately available.