The White House is considering the installation of permanent fencing around Lafayette Square, located across from the White House, due to increased security concerns following multiple assassination attempts against President Donald Trump. According to CBS News, the fencing would encompass areas on Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House, but the plan is pending Trump's approval. This discussion follows incidents including a gunman firing near the White House in May and an individual allegedly attempting to assassinate Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in April.
A White House official stated that discussions about enhancing security for the White House Complex are ongoing, but no decisions have been finalized. Any proposed projects would undergo the necessary review process. The Washington Post reported that the White House is contemplating permanent fencing on the north and south sides of the park to facilitate easier closure during security threats, as the current reliance is on temporary fencing.
Critics, including Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C.'s delegate to Congress, have expressed opposition to the idea of permanent fencing. Norton has introduced a bill aimed at prohibiting such fencing, arguing that it is an ineffective security measure that could hinder public access to the park. She emphasized the need for effective security solutions that do not restrict public access to government property.