The Trump administration is seeking to permanently fence Lafayette Square, a public park across from the White House, as officials say they are seeking to balance Americans’ access to the famous grounds with the need to protect the president. Under the plan, which was jointly crafted by the Secret Service, the White House, and the Interior Department, officials laid out two options that they say would allow them to quickly close the park if they identify a security risk.

Security Concerns

The fences would be eight to nine feet tall and would replace the current system of relying on temporary fences and bollards. The Secret Service anticipates a phased implementation of the fences next year. The objective is to enhance long-term safety, preserve the park’s identity as a significant National Park Service landscape, and maintain public access to this nationally symbolic space.

The White House and the Secret Service did not immediately respond to questions about the proposal. Administration officials have said they are reassessing White House security after repeated threats to President Donald Trump, including a shooting at the White House correspondents’ dinner in April.

Concerns from Lawmakers and Activists

The administration’s proposal was criticized by lawmakers and historic preservation groups. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C.’s nonvoting congressional representative, said she would introduce legislation to bar fencing at Lafayette Square, Pennsylvania Avenue, and other parts of the White House campus. Some activists also expressed concerns about a chilling effect on free speech if new fences are installed around the White House.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.