Gambiaj.com – (WASHINGTON, United States) – A United States federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s plan to build a $400 million ballroom on the grounds of the White House, ruling that the project cannot proceed without authorization from Congress.
Richard Leon of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted a preliminary injunction requested by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sued the administration after the historic East Wing of the presidential residence was demolished to make way for the proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom.
The ruling halts construction of the project while the legal challenge proceeds, marking a setback for the administration’s efforts to reshape the seat of American power.
“Where does this leave us? Unfortunately for Defendants, unless and until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorization, construction has to stop,” Judge Leon wrote in his order.
Administration Appeals Ruling
Leon, who was appointed by former U.S. president George W. Bush, paused the enforcement of his order for 14 days to allow the administration to file an appeal.
Shortly after the decision, the U.S. Department of Justice filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
The judge clarified that the injunction does not affect any construction work deemed necessary to ensure the safety and security of the White House.
President Trump responded sharply to the decision in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, describing the preservation group as “left-wing lunatics.”
He defended the project, saying the ballroom was “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.”
Preservation Group Welcomes Decision
The National Trust for Historic Preservation welcomed the court’s intervention, arguing the president overstepped his authority by demolishing the East Wing and launching construction without congressional approval.
“This is a win for the American people on a project that forever impacts one of the most beloved and iconic places in our nation,” said Carol Quillen.
The organization filed the lawsuit in December after the administration tore down the East Wing, originally constructed in 1902 and expanded during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, to make space for the ballroom.
Debate Over Presidential Authority
In his ruling, Judge Leon emphasized that no federal law grants the president the authority to demolish part of the White House complex and construct a new facility funded by private donors without congressional approval.
“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,” Leon wrote.
The Trump administration has defended the project as a modernization effort that would improve security and reduce the need for temporary structures often used to host large events at the executive residence.
The ballroom is also part of President Trump’s broader plan to reshape Washington’s monumental core, including proposals for a 250-foot arch and major changes to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Meanwhile, the National Capital Planning Commission is expected to hold a hearing later this week to consider whether to approve the project’s building plans, adding another layer to the ongoing legal and political battle over the controversial development.
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