The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) approved President Donald Trump’s plan to build a 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom on Thursday, despite a federal judge’s order earlier in the week requiring congressional approval for the project. The 12-member commission voted 8-1, with two members voting present and one absent, to advance the East Wing Modernization Project, which includes the ballroom and other upgrades. The decision came days after U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled that construction must pause until Congress explicitly authorizes the work, citing concerns over the project’s scope and impact on the historic White House complex.
The NCPC, which oversees federal construction in the Washington region, proceeded with the vote because the judge’s injunction only affects physical construction, not the planning process, according to commission chair Will Scharf, a Trump appointee. Scharf defended the project, arguing that past White House modifications, such as the Truman Balcony, were initially criticized but later embraced. He also dismissed opposition as politically motivated, stating that the ballroom’s merits were being overlooked due to opposition to Trump.
The White House has maintained that the ballroom will be privately funded and not rely on taxpayer dollars, though the project’s cost has doubled from an initial $200 million to $400 million. Critics, including preservationists and architects, argue the ballroom would overwhelm the White House’s historic character. Over 32,000 public comments were submitted, with many opposing the project. The Trust for Historic Preservation sued to halt construction, and the Department of Justice has appealed Judge Leon’s ruling.
The NCPC’s vote was delayed from March due to the high volume of public opposition. Commissioner Phil Mendelson, the only dissenting vote, called the ballroom’s size “too large” and suggested a smaller design. The White House has framed the project as a legacy initiative, with Trump calling it the “finest ballroom of its kind anywhere in the world.” Construction has already begun, with parts of the East Wing demolished in October. The project includes offices for the first lady, kitchen space, and upgrades to a secure underground military complex, though funding details for the bunker remain unclear.