A US judge has ordered a stop to Donald Trump's $400 million White House ballroom project, halting construction until Congress grants formal approval.
Key developments:
- Federal judge halts $400 million White House ballroom construction
- Historic East Wing demolished last year to make way for 90,000-square-foot ballroom
- Judge rules congressional approval required for such projects
- Trump administration appeals ruling, calls plaintiffs "radical left group of lunatics"
- Project funded by private donors including Meta, Apple, Amazon, Google, Microsoft
- Judge cites Truman-era renovations as precedent requiring congressional consent
Historic East Wing Demolished
Last year, President Trump demolished the historic East Wing of the White House to make way for the 90,000-square-foot ballroom. The move sparked legal challenges over whether he had exceeded his authority without congressional consent.
Judge's Ruling
US District Judge Richard Leon in Washington granted a preliminary injunction requested by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a non-profit organization that brought the lawsuit. Leon wrote, "Unless and until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorization, construction has to stop!"
Leon also noted that the president may still seek congressional approval at any time and that Congress could authorize private or public funding for the project. The judge emphasized that the decision protects the constitutional process and ensures government oversight.
Trump Administration Response
The Trump administration immediately appealed the order. On his Truth Social platform, Trump criticized the National Trust as "a radical left group of lunatics" and defended the project, claiming it is "under budget, ahead of schedule, being built at no cost to the taxpayer, and will be the finest building of its kind anywhere in the world."
Trump also challenged the judge's decision, asserting that congressional approval has historically never been required for White House construction projects. However, Judge Leon highlighted that past presidents, such as Harry Truman during the 1949-1952 renovations, obtained congressional approval.
Project Financing
The ballroom project, estimated at $400 million, is being funded by private donors and large corporations, including Meta, Apple, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Palantir, Google, and Comcast.
Ongoing Litigation
Earlier this year, Judge Leon had expressed skepticism about the administration's claim that the project qualified as a permitted "alteration" of White House grounds. White House lawyers argued otherwise, but the injunction leaves construction on hold pending congressional approval.
The ruling underscores the balance of power between the presidency and Congress, ensuring oversight on major modifications to national landmarks.
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