Judge Halts Trump’s White House Ballroom Construction
A US judge has issued a temporary halt to President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom construction project, citing procedural violations prior to the commencement of the building work.
This ruling follows a lawsuit filed against the White House by The National Trust for Historic Preservation.
"I have concluded that the National Trust is likely to succeed on the merits because no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have," said Judge Richard Leon, who was appointed by a Republican president.
President Trump responded to the ruling on his social media platform, stating that the project is progressing well and
"will be the finest Building of its kind anywhere in the World"
The Trump administration has previously defended the plan as more cost-effective than renovating the East Wing and highlighted that numerous past presidents have made modifications to the White House.
Leon's ruling, published on Tuesday, continued: "The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner!"
"(U)nless and until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorization, construction has to stop!"
The judge’s order will take effect in 14 days, allowing time for a potential appeal.
Legal Arguments and Lawsuit Details
In the lawsuit, the preservation group contended that the White House violated legal requirements by initiating construction without submitting plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, failing to conduct an environmental assessment, and not obtaining Congressional authorization.
The group also alleged that Trump’s actions contravened the US Constitution, which reserves to Congress the authority to manage and regulate property owned by the United States.
Project Background and Expansion
The East Wing, originally built in 1902, was demolished in October to make way for Trump’s multi-million dollar ballroom, which he asserts is funded entirely by private donors.
Since the project's inception, the design has expanded from a ballroom accommodating 500 guests to a venue capable of hosting 1,350 attendees.
The White House estimates the project’s cost at $400 million (£302 million), with all funding reportedly coming from private sources.
Trump’s Reaction to the Ruling
In response to the judge’s decision, Trump posted on his Truth Social site:
"The National Trust for Historic Preservation sues me for a Ballroom that is under budget, ahead of schedule, being built at no cost to the Taxpayer, and will be the finest Building of its kind anywhere in the World."
He further criticized the organization behind the lawsuit, noting their previous legal challenge against his renovation of the Kennedy Center, which Trump recently renamed after himself.
"All I am doing is fixing, cleaning, running, and 'sprucing up' a terribly maintained, for many years, Building," Trump wrote regarding the Washington DC concert venue.
Regarding the legal challenge, Trump added:
"Doesn't make much sense, does it?"
