President Donald Trump is weighing a new security upgrade around the White House that would give officials greater authority to close Lafayette Square, the historic park directly across from the executive mansion, according to three people familiar with the plans.

The proposal reportedly calls for a permanent fence along the north and south sides of Lafayette Square, allowing officials to restrict access when security concerns arise.

The National Park Service manages the park, which serves as a popular gathering spot for tourists, protesters, and visitors to the White House.

Sources familiar with the discussions told The Washington Post that the Secret Service has pushed for the project, arguing that temporary fencing used around the area is both unsightly and less effective than permanent barriers.

Officials in multiple administrations have reportedly shared those concerns.

The idea was first discussed during Trump's first term following the riots and unrest that swept Washington in 2020 after George Floyd's death.

During that period, protesters breached temporary security barriers around the White House complex, leading security officials to briefly move Trump to the White House bunker.

Newsmax reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

Clark Construction and AECOM have been approached about the project, according to two sources. Both firms are also involved in Trump's planned White House ballroom project.

The proposal is drawing criticism from preservation groups, which argue that changes to Lafayette Square should undergo federal review before moving forward.

"Lafayette Square is a cultural landscape of national historic importance," Judy Chesser, chair of the Committee of 100 on the Federal City, told the Post. "It is the national symbolic heart of the American public's right to express its views to the government, regardless of political interest or affiliation."

Security experts say permanent barriers could strengthen protection around the White House and be more effective than temporary fencing during large demonstrations.

Others contend the government's security needs must be balanced against public access to historic public spaces.

"The Secret Service is always going to want lower risk — and that's their job — but in this case, that imperative is bumping against another important American feature," Juliette Kayyem, a former Department of Homeland Security official in the Obama administration, told the Post.

"We've had this park that has served as a place for citizens to congregate … and to encounter their leader," she said.

"Who's going to decide whether it's open or closed?" Kayyem added.

The White House has periodically restricted access to Lafayette Square during high-profile events and visits by foreign leaders.

Previous administrations have also expanded security measures around the executive mansion, including the closure of Pennsylvania Avenue to vehicle traffic under President Bill Clinton and the installation of a 13-foot security fence around the White House during Trump's first term.