The Trump administration is weighing new permanent fencing around the White House complex as part of an effort to strengthen presidential security following a series of recent threats and attacks.
Administration officials are discussing plans to install permanent fencing at the ends of Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House and around Lafayette Square, allowing the White House and Secret Service to quickly close pedestrian access when security conditions warrant, The Washington Post first reported.
The proposal would place fencing near the intersections of 15th and 17th Streets NW, where Pennsylvania Avenue passes in front of the White House.
Officials said the barriers could be opened or closed depending on operational needs, replacing the temporary fencing that has routinely been erected for major events and heightened security periods.
"There are always discussions ongoing about how to make the White House Complex as safe as possible," a White House official said in a statement to CBS News.
"However, nothing is confirmed at this time. Any projects that are pursued will go through the necessary review process," the official added.
The discussions come after heightened security concerns surrounding President Donald Trump.
The administration has conducted additional reviews of White House security following multiple threats over the past two years, including the shooting at the White House Correspondents' dinner in April and other incidents involving the president.
The Secret Service referred questions about the proposal to the White House.
According to the Post and CBS News, no final decision has been made, and the proposal is still awaiting Trump's approval.
Officials are also considering repurposing existing fencing materials already used during major security operations instead of constructing an entirely new perimeter, potentially reducing costs.
The White House has long relied on temporary barriers and Secret Service personnel to restrict pedestrian access along Pennsylvania Avenue during periods of elevated security.
Previous administrations resisted installing permanent barriers because of concerns they would limit public access to one of Washington's most visited landmarks.
Then-President Bill Clinton permanently closed the stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue to vehicle traffic in 1995 following the Oklahoma City bombing, transforming it into a pedestrian plaza while citing the need to protect the White House from vehicle attacks.
The Trump administration is also considering permanent fencing around Lafayette Square, the historic park directly north of the White House that has frequently served as a gathering place for tourists and political demonstrations.
Critics have warned additional fencing could further limit public access to views of the White House.
Supporters, however, argue the measures are a commonsense response to an increasingly dangerous security environment and would provide greater flexibility for the Secret Service while reducing the recurring expense of installing temporary barriers for special events and emergencies.