A federal judge has hit pause on plans to transform the White House grounds, ordering the Trump administration to stop construction on its controversial ballroom project unless Congress signs off first. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled that work on the proposed $400 million ballroom cannot move forward without legislative approval, delivering a major setback to Donald Trump’s push to reshape part of the historic property. The decision came after the National Trust for Historic Preservation sought an emergency order to block the project.
Leon made it clear he wasn’t convinced the president had the authority to act alone.
“No statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have,” he wrote. He also emphasized the broader responsibility tied to the residence, adding, “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!”
While the ruling halts construction for now, Leon delayed enforcement for 14 days, acknowledging potential logistical complications and signaling that an appeal from the administration is likely. He also noted that any work tied directly to national security could continue.
The Trump administration has argued the ballroom would come at no cost to taxpayers, funded instead through private donations, including from Trump himself. Still, preservationists pushed back, saying the project needs formal review and congressional approval before moving forward.
The plan, which included demolishing the East Wing to make room for a 90,000-square-foot event space, had been nearing the final design stages, with above-ground construction expected to begin in April. Earlier estimates placed the cost of constructionn at roughly $200 million, though it had since doubled.
Trump is so naive to think that he could tear down a building to build a Ballroom!
He really thinks that the White House is his
Personal Property!