A United States federal judge has ordered a temporary halt to the construction of a controversial $400 million ballroom at the White House, a pet project of President Donald Trump that led to the demolition of the historic East Wing. The administration has already filed an immediate appeal against the decision.
On Tuesday, Federal Judge Richard J. Leon issued a comprehensive 35-page ruling following months of intense legal battles. The judge determined that President Trump likely exceeded his executive authority by initiating such monumental alterations to a premier government building without the express consent of Congress.
Judge Leon also expressed sharp criticism regarding the project's lack of transparency, specifically questioning who is overseeing the construction and the legal basis for accepting private contributions to fund the endeavor.
"If and until Congress approves this project by providing the appropriate consent, construction must stop," Judge Leon stated in his ruling. "But the good news is that it is not too late for Congress to approve the ongoing construction."
The court granted a two-week delay before the injunction takes full effect, providing the Trump administration a window to appeal—a step they took without delay.
The ballroom project has been a source of significant public and legal scrutiny. Initially, President Trump assured the public that the new addition would "not interfere with the current building." However, the project eventually necessitated the complete demolition of the White House's East Wing. Furthermore, the estimated cost has doubled, ballooning from an initial $200 million to the current $400 million.
The legal challenge that led to Tuesday's ruling was initiated in late 2025 when the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit seeking to block the sweeping architectural changes to the presidential residence.
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