WASHINGTON — Federal lawyers representing the Trump administration are warning that a recent court decision stopping work on a $400 million White House ballroom poses serious security threats as they petition an appeals court to reverse the ruling.
National Park Service attorneys filed paperwork Friday claiming the federal judge’s construction suspension order creates “threatening grave national-security harms to the White House, the President and his family, and the President’s staff.”
“Time is of the essence!” the legal team emphasized, pointing to specialized materials needed for what they describe as a “heavily fortified” venue. According to court documents, the ballroom project encompasses bomb shelters, military installations and medical facilities as part of President Donald Trump’s broader Washington renovation agenda.
Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon issued a temporary construction freeze on the project, which has involved tearing down the White House East Wing. Leon determined that without Congressional authorization, the preservation organization challenging the work would likely prevail because “no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have.”
The judge provided a 14-day grace period before his order takes effect, anticipating an administrative appeal.
Leon’s decision coincided with final project approval from a regional federal construction oversight agency.
The judge, appointed during George W. Bush’s presidency, acknowledged in his ruling that “halting an ongoing construction project may raise logistical issues” when he granted the temporary delay.
Regarding security concerns, Leon reviewed classified government materials and determined that stopping construction would not compromise national security. His injunction specifically excludes any work essential for White House safety and protection.
Trump criticized the ruling while noting it permits continued work on underground bunkers and other security enhancements around the White House complex — funded by taxpayers. The president has promised that he and private contributors will finance the ballroom construction.
However, National Park Service lawyers contend the president possesses “complete authority to renovate the White House” and argue the current construction zone makes White House protection more difficult.
“Canvas tents, which are necessary without a ballroom, are significantly more vulnerable to missiles, drones, and other threats than a hardened national security facility,” their legal filing states.
The administration wants the appeals court to rule on their request by Friday and seeks a two-week extension of Leon’s 14-day suspension to allow time for a potential Supreme Court appeal.
