A federal judge on Tuesday ordered the Trump administration to halt construction of a planned $400 million ballroom at the White House, siding with preservationists who argue the president overstepped his authority by demolishing the East Wing.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in Washington granted a request from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for a preliminary injunction, temporarily suspending President Donald Trump’s ballroom project while the case proceeds.
Leon, who was nominated to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush, wrote that the preservationist group is likely to prevail.
“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,” Leon wrote.
“The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families,” the judge added. “He is not, however, the owner!”
The National Trust sued to pause the project until it completes multiple independent reviews and receives approval from Congress, arguing that the White House is a national historic asset protected under federal law.
The White House announced the ballroom project over the summer, describing it as a privately funded expansion. By late October, Trump moved forward by demolishing the East Wing to make way for a 90,000‑square‑foot ballroom that he said would accommodate up to 999 people. The White House said the construction would be funded through private donations, including from Trump.
Trump proceeded with the demolition before seeking approvals from the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts, two federal panels that review major architectural changes in Washington. Trump has filled both commissions with political allies.
Leon’s order temporarily blocks further construction while the legal challenge continues.
Trump also recently revealed that the U.S. military is building a “massive” complex under the planned White House ballroom.
This is a breaking news article. Updates to follow.
Reporting by the Associated Press contributed to this article.
