Judge pauses construction of Trump’s beloved White House ballroom putting future of project in doubt
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration Tuesday to stop construction of President Donald Trump’s $400 million ballroom until Congress authorizes it.
District Court Judge Richard Leon, appointed by George W. Bush, sided with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a nonprofit group that sued Trump in December after he demolished the East Wing.
He agreed the president likely needed Congressional approval to tear down and replace an entire section of the White House while also raising questions about the “convoluted funding scheme” that has led the administration to rely on private donations to pay for construction.
“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 began in his 35-page opinion.
But Leon added that it was “not too late” for Congress to authorize the continued construction, and said Trump could go to them at any time to seek permission to use private funding for the 90,000 square-foot ballroom.
The Independent has asked the White House for comment
Trump complained about the lawsuit on Truth Social, claiming the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which he referred to as a “Radical Left Group of Lunatics,” should have focused on the Federal Reserve building construction or California’s high-speed rail.
“So, the White House Ballroom, and The Trump Kennedy Center, which are under budget, ahead of schedule, and will be among the most magnificent Buildings of their kind anywhere in the World, gets sued by a group that was cut off by Government years ago, but all of the many DISASTERS in our Country are left alone to die,” Trump said, referencing the Fed building and California rail project.
Trump said his ballroom plans are “Ahead of schedule, being built at no cost to the Taxpayer, and will be the finest Building of its kind anywhere in the World.”
The White House ballroom has been one of the most controversial construction projects the president has embarked on. Without seeking congressional authorization, the president tore down the historic East Wing and brushed off concerns from preservationists, lawmakers and the public.
That was after he asserted the new ballroom would not “interfere” with the original White House building.
Other original plans have also changed – the cost increased from $200 million to $400 million and the original architect on the project was replaced
Trump has gone to great lengths to expedite his White House ballroom project, firing members of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, a committee that approves new designs, and installing allies – including the original architect on the ballroom project and a 26-year-old White House staffer.
Trump has also put close allies in charge of the National Capital Planning, which has jurisdiction over construction and major renovations to government buildings in the region.
