Court Orders Suspension Of Trump’s White House Ballroom Project

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to suspend construction of a 400 million dollar ballroom project at the White House on Tuesday, ruling that work cannot proceed without congressional approval.

US District Judge Richard Leon, in Washington, granted a preservationist group’s request for a preliminary injunction that temporarily stops President Donald Trump’s controversial White House renovation. The judge concluded that the National Trust for Historic Preservation will likely succeed in its legal challenge against the project.

Leon determined that no statute grants Trump the authority he claims to possess for the massive construction work. The President demolished the White House East Wing to create space for the 90,000-square-foot ballroom designed to accommodate 999 people.

“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 ruling.

Naija News gathered that the White House quickly filed an appeal notice following the Tuesday decision.

Trump Rejects Court Ruling

Trump expressed anger at the ruling during an Oval Office session with reporters shortly after Leon issued his decision. The President argued that previous White House construction projects never required congressional authorisation.

“We built many things at the White House over the years. They don’t get congressional approval,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday.

The ruling represents the first major judicial setback to Trump’s sweeping efforts to overhaul the historic presidential residence. Leon suspended enforcement of his order for 14 days, acknowledging the complexity of halting ongoing construction activities.

The ruling exempts construction work necessary for White House safety and security from the injunction’s scope. Trump noted that construction of an underground bunker and other security enhancements can continue despite the court order.

President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Carol Quillen welcomed Leon’s decision, describing it as protection for American interests in the iconic building.

“We are pleased with Judge Leon’s ruling today to order a halt to any further ballroom construction until the Administration complies with the law and obtains express authorisation to go forward. 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,” Quillen stated on Tuesday.

The White House announced the ballroom project during the summer. By late October, Trump had demolished the East Wing to accommodate the massive structure.

The National Trust filed its lawsuit in December, seeking to pause the project until independent reviews are completed and Congress grants approval.

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