A federal judge on Thursday declined to halt President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom construction project, rejecting a preliminary injunction sought by preservation advocates while leaving the door open for further legal challenges.
.jpg)
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled that the National Trust for Historic Preservation did not properly frame its legal challenge to the renovations. However, he said the organization could amend its complaint and that he would reconsider the matter if it is refiled correctly.
“Until then, however, I have no choice but to deny Plaintiff’s motion for a preliminary injunction for lack of likelihood of success on the merits,” the judge wrote.
The preservationists had asked the court to stop construction until the White House complied with what they argue are required federal procedures — including congressional approval, independent design reviews and a public comment period.
The lawsuit initially focused on Trump’s authority to demolish the East Wing and move forward with a new ballroom. But Judge Leon said the plaintiffs failed to bring the appropriate statutory claim necessary to test the president’s asserted authority to proceed without congressional authorization.
“To be fair, the President’s source of legal authority to construct the ballroom was not apparent before the National Trust brought its motion,” the judge wrote. “And to make things murkier, Defendants initially suggested that there was a dispute about the President’s constitutional authority.”
“But Defendants’ subsequent abandonment of any constitutional claims of authority places this case — as it now stands — squarely in” the territory of Supreme Court precedent regarding when courts can second-guess the president, he added.
Leon indicated he would “expeditiously” consider a revised complaint if filed.
Trump first announced plans in October to demolish the East Wing, clearing space for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom intended to host state dinners, galas and major ceremonial events. The project is expected to be completed by 2028.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump celebrated the ruling as “great news for America, and our wonderful White House.”
“The Judge on the case of what will be the most beautiful Ballroom anywhere in the World, has just thrown out, and completely erased, the effort to stop its construction,” the president wrote.
The project, according to Trump, is being financed primarily through private donations rather than federal funds.
.jpg)
“As everyone knows, not one dollar of Taxpayer money is being spent, but rather, all money necessary to build this magnificent building is being put up by Patriot Donors and Contributors,” Trump said, suggesting the project is ahead of schedule and under budget.
The White House also dismissed members of the Commission of Fine Arts, a federal advisory body that reviews architectural projects in Washington, D.C. Six of the seven newly appointed members approved the ballroom design during a meeting last week.
The demolition of the East Wing sparked criticism from Democratic lawmakers, historians and preservation advocates, who argue that the administration bypassed longstanding review procedures designed to protect historic federal properties.
Despite ongoing objections, Trump signaled construction would continue uninterrupted.
“It will stand long into the future as a symbol to the Greatness of America!” he said.
Originally reported by Ella Lee and The Hill in Fox 21 News.
.webp)
