👫Trump White House Ballroom Construction Blocked by Federal Judge Over Lack of Congressional Authority

A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked construction of President Donald Trump’s planned $400 million White House ballroom, ruling that the president lacks authority to proceed without explicit approval from Congress.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon granted a preliminary injunction sought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sued to halt the project after the East Wing of the White House was demolished to make way for the 90,000-square-foot ballroom. The nonprofit argued that the administration bypassed required historic preservation reviews and federal law governing alterations to the executive mansion.

In a strongly worded opinion, Leon, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, wrote that “no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have.” He emphasized that the president serves as steward of the White House for future generations, “not… the owner,” and ordered construction to stop “unless and until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorization.” The judge paused enforcement of his order for 14 days to allow time for an appeal and exempted any work needed for immediate safety or security.
The Justice Department promptly filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The White House has described the ballroom—intended to accommodate up to 999 guests—as a privately funded upgrade financed through donations, including from Trump himself. Trump has publicly criticized the ruling, calling the judge “so wrong.”
The project, announced last summer, advanced rapidly after the East Wing demolition in late 2025, bypassing full input from federal review panels. Preservationists contend the rushed process threatens the historic character of the White House. Legal experts expect the appeal to move quickly, with the case potentially heading to higher courts.