In addition to the above restrictions, the Secret Service has made a security determination that the following sidewalks will be closed from June 12, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. to June 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.: the eastern sidewalk adjacent to 15th Street, NW from Alexander Hamilton Place, NW to Constitution Ave, NW; the northern sidewalk adjacent to Constitution Ave, NW, from 15th Street NW to 17th Street NW; and the western sidewalk adjacent to 17th Street, NW, from E Street, NW to Constitution Ave, NW. These additional closures are in addition to the initial restrictions described above, which would remain in place. The areas described above are noted in yellow on the attached map. ***Please note that portions of the White House Sidewalk, between East Executive Avenue, NW and West Executive Avenue, NW, as already communicated through an earlier record of determination and public notice, are already closed due to the unique security requirements associated with the White House construction project. Additionally, most of Lafayette Park as already communicated through an earlier record of determination and public notice, is already closed due to the unique security requirements associated with the Lafayette Park construction project. At the request of the United States secret Service the National Park Service is also imposing a public use limitation and will not allow into the event: • Laptops, Tripods, Monopods, and Selfie Sticks *If an invited guest arrives with a tablet, they will be redirected to the X-ray line for • screening and then permitted entry with the tablet. • Large Bags and Suitcases exceeding size restrictions (18" x 13" x 7") • Packages • Drones and other Unmanned Aircraft Systems • Animals other than service/guide animals • Bicycles, Scooters, Folding Chairs, Balloons, Coolers, Glass, Thermal or Metal Containers, Paint • Umbrellas (umbrellas without metal tips will be permitted) • Pointed Objects, to include knives of any kind • Aerosols, Tobacco Products, e-Cigarettes, Lighters, Matches • Firearms, Ammunition, Fireworks, Laser Pointers, Stun Guns, Tasers, Mace/Pepper Spray, Toy Weapons • Tents and Structures • Any Other Items Determined to be Potential Safety Hazards The park closure and public use limitation comes at the request of the United States Secret Service to provide a secure staging area as well as a secure perimeter with sufficient stand-off distance to protect the ticketed guests while they participate in the activities on the Ellipse and the grounds of the White House. The temporary restrictions are also necessary to permit the Secret Service to perform security sweeps of the area, facilitate guest arrivals and departures, allow for security screening of the guests, separate ticketed guests from the general public, and restrict access to the White House grounds. Lesser restrictive measures will not suffice due to the Secret Service’s security-based assessment that these park areas need to be kept clear. Please be advised that exact times are subject to change, based upon the evolving schedule of the event. However, the United States Secret Service has communicated to the NPS that they will notify us as soon as practicable of any changes in dates and times or if these restrictions are no longer necessary. A copy of the Secret Service’s letter dated April 24, 2026, and map is attached and incorporated by reference. This temporary and partial closure is not of a nature, magnitude and duration that will result in a “significant alteration in the public use pattern”. Further, the closure will not adversely affect the park’s natural, aesthetic, or cultural values and is not of a highly controversial nature given the ongoing and evolving security measures being undertaken nationwide and in Washington, D.C. Accordingly, the National Park Service determines publication as rulemaking in the Federal Register is unwarranted under 36 C.F.R. § 1.5(c). This is consistent with hundreds of earlier partial and temporary park closures or public use limitations, the legal opinion of the Office of the Solicitor, and judicial adjudications. Mahoney v. Norton, No. 02-1715 (D.D.C. August 29, 2002), plaintiff’s emergency motion for injunction pending appeal denied Mahoney v. Norton, No. 02- 3 5275 (D.C. Cir. September 9, 2002) (per curiam); Picciotto v. United States, No. 99-2113 (D.D.C. August 6, 1999); Picciotto v. United States, No. 94-1935 (D.D.C. September 9, 1994); Picciotto v. Lujan, No. 90-1261 (D.D.C. May 30, 1990); Picciotto v. Hodel, No. 87-3290 (D.D.C. January 26, 1988); Spiegel v. Babbitt, 855 F.Supp. 402 (D.D.C. 1994), aff'd in part w/o op. 56 F.3d 1531 (D.C. Cir. 1995), reported in full, 1995 US App. Lexis 15200 (D.C. Cir. May 31, 1995). Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 1.7, notice of this temporary and partial closure will be made through media advisories, maps, and by posting at conspicuous locations in the affected park areas. Finally, pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 1.5(c), this determination is available to the public upon request. /s/ John Stanwich, NPS Liaison to the White House National Capital Region April 30, 2026 |
Last updated: May 4, 2026