Topline
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., blocked the Trump administration from taking “any further action” to construct the White House ballroom at the site of the building’s former East Wing, in a major blow to the president’s plan for a signature White House addition.
Construction equipment is seen at the site of the White House’s former East Wing.
Getty Images
Key Facts
District Court Judge Richard Leon on Tuesday ordered the White House to cease “demolition, site preparation work, landscape alteration, excavation, foundation work, or other construction or related work” on the ballroom after a deadline in 14 days.
Leon acknowledged Trump was the “steward” of the presidential home, but also exclaimed “he is not, however, the owner!”
The judge found the legal challenge from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which prompted Tuesday’s ruling, was likely to succeed unless Congress authorizes its construction, concluding “until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorization, construction has to stop!”
The White House did not immediately return a request for comment from Forbes, but in a post on Truth Social Trump quickly slammed the National Trust, which is also challenging Trump’s planned changes to the Kennedy Center, as “a Radical Left Group of Lunatics.”
Trump also chastised the group for not going after construction projects associated with his political enemies—including the Federal Reserve building renovations Trump claims are “BILLIONS” over budget and California’s high speed rail project.
What To Watch For
The order makes an exception for any construction work required to ensure “safety and security” of the White House. The order blocking the rest of the construction work takes effect in 14 days, during which the Trump administration could try to appeal the ruling.
Crucial Quote
“Congress has continued to authorize and fund construction and maintenance at the White House up until the present day,” Leon wrote in a memo on Tuesday, noting the legislature approved the repairs to the building after it was damaged during the War of 1812, as well as funds for the expansions of the North Portico, the West Wing and East Wing. But Leon also said there was “good news” for Trump in his ruling: “It is not too late for Congress to authorize the continued construction of the ballroom project. The President may at any time go to Congress to obtain express authority to construct a ballroom and to do so with private funds. Indeed, Congress may even choose to appropriate funds for the ballroom, or at least decide that some other funding scheme is acceptable. Either way, Congress will thereby retain its authority over the nation’s property and its oversight over the Government’s spending.”
Key Background
The Trump administration announced the proposed ballroom on the East Wing site last July, and moved forward with demolishing the standing East Wing unexpectedly in October. The structure, which previously housed the first lady’s offices and a White House movie theater, was quickly torn down and construction equipment moved in. Trump has said the ballroom project will cost $400 million, although he has also consistently said it would be built using private funding.