WASHINGTON — A federal court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s massive White House renovation project after a judge ruled Tuesday that the president likely overstepped his authority in proceeding with the $400 million ballroom construction.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon issued a preliminary injunction stopping President Donald Trump’s ballroom project, which involved tearing down the East Wing of the White House. The ruling came after the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed suit seeking to pause the controversial renovation.
Judge Leon, appointed by former Republican President George W. Bush, determined in his decision 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.”
“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 wrote in his order.
The preservation organization had requested the court to stop construction until the project receives proper independent evaluations and Congressional authorization.
Trump revealed the ballroom plans during the summer months. Construction began quickly, with the East Wing demolished by the end of October to clear space for the proposed venue, which Trump stated would accommodate 999 guests. The administration claimed the massive 90,000-square-foot ballroom would be funded through private contributions, including donations from Trump personally.
The president moved forward with demolition and construction without first consulting two required federal oversight bodies — the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts. Both panels have been filled with Trump appointees and supporters.
