A federal judge has temporarily halted President Trump's $400 million White House ballroom project, citing a lack of congressional authorization. The ruling allows construction on security aspects to continue while the administration has 14 days to appeal.
Judge Leon Orders Halt to Ballroom Construction
A federal judge has ordered President Donald Trump to halt construction on a $400 million White House ballroom project, ruling that the administration lacks congressional authorization for the initiative. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon granted a preliminary injunction on Tuesday, temporarily blocking further work on the 90,000-square-foot ballroom planned for the site of the demolished East Wing. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which filed the lawsuit, argued that the project violated federal law by proceeding without congressional oversight. Judge Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, wrote that 'no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have,' emphasizing that the president is a steward of the White House, not its owner.
Project Details and Appeal Window
The order allows construction to continue on security-related portions of the project and gives the administration 14 days to appeal. President Trump responded on Truth Social, calling the National Trust a 'Radical Left Group of Lunatics' and asserting that the ballroom is being built at no cost to taxpayers. The White House has not yet commented on the ruling. The project, announced in July, would expand the White House's event space to accommodate 650 guests, up from the current capacity of 200. The National Trust contends that the demolition of the East Wing and subsequent construction disrupt the building's historic character and require congressional approval. Judge Leon acknowledged the case's complexity but emphasized that construction must stop unless Congress authorizes the project. The ruling does not affect ongoing security-related work at the White House.