Judge Halts Trump's $400 Million White House Ballroom Project
A federal judge has determined that President Donald Trump is barred from proceeding with his proposed $400 million ballroom on the site of the White House’s demolished East Wing without obtaining explicit approval from Congress.
On Tuesday, District Judge Richard Leon granted a preliminary injunction in response to a lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The organization alleges that Trump overstepped his authority by demolishing the historic East Wing and initiating construction of the new facility.
Judge Leon stated, “I have concluded 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.” He emphasized, “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! Unless and until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorization, construction has to stop!”
The judge clarified that his ruling does not impede “construction necessary to ensure the safety and security of the White House.” Consequently, the 90,000 square-foot (8,360 square-metre) ballroom project will remain on hold during the ongoing legal proceedings.
To facilitate a potential appeal, Leon has paused the enforcement of his order for 14 days. Subsequently, the Justice Department filed an appeal with the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Carol Quillen, the president and CEO of the National Trust, expressed her satisfaction with Leon’s decision, stating, “This is a win for the American people on a project that forever impacts one of the most beloved and iconic places in our nation.”
In response to the ruling, Trump took to social media to describe the National Trust as a group of left-wing “lunatics,” asserting that his ballroom project 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.”
The ballroom has been promoted by the Republican as a significant enhancement to the White House, intended to serve as a lasting emblem of his presidency.
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