Judge Once Again Halts Construction On Trump’s White House Ballroom

A US federal judge has once again stopped above-ground construction on President Donald Trump’s controversial White House ballroom project, ruling that the administration cannot move forward with the construction of the ballroom without congressional approval.

In Thursday’s decision, District Judge Richard Leon said all work on the visible part of the proposed $400 million development must pause. However, in his ruling he has allowed construction to continue below ground on a planned bunker and other security-related facilities.

The ruling is the latest twist in the ongoing legal battle over the project, which involves replacing the demolished East Wing with a large new event space. The planned structure, expected to cover around 90,000 square feet, would be one of the most significant physical changes to the White House in decades.

Judge Leon rejected the administration’s argument that the entire project should qualify under a national security exemption because it includes features such as reinforced structures and protection against drones and missile threats.

"National security is not a blank cheque to proceed with otherwise unlawful activity," the judge wrote.

He also pushed back against the government’s claim that the ballroom and underground bunker should be treated as one inseparable project, writing that officials were trying to stretch the earlier safety exception too far.

"That is neither a reasonable nor a correct reading of my Order!"

The case was brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which argued that the White House had moved ahead without following legal procedures, including obtaining approval from Congress and filing the required plans with federal oversight bodies.

The preservation group has also argued that demolishing the East Wing and starting construction without proper authorisation violated the constitutional limits on presidential power over federal property.

The Trump administration has already filed notice that it plans to appeal the ruling.

Trump reacted angrily to the ruling on social media, insisting that the project is essential and accusing the judge of blocking future presidential security needs. He said the ruling would stop future presidents and visiting world leaders from having “a safe and secure large scale Meeting Place”.

In a separate post, Trump argued that the underground facilities could not function on their own, saying the below-ground complex "doesn't work, isn't necessary, and would indeed be useless, without the above ground sections".

He added that the wider plan includes bomb shelters, military infrastructure and medical units, describing it as “vital for National Security and Military Operations of the United States of America!”

Government lawyers had argued that the ballroom itself includes key protective elements, including missile-resistant supports and drone-proof roofing, and should therefore be allowed to proceed, but the court made it clear that only the underground national security components may continue while the legal dispute plays out.

The White House says the ballroom is being funded through private donations, while public money is helping cover the cost of security upgrades and the bunker. If completed, the venue would be one of Trump’s most ambitious building projects in Washington.