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Court halts above-ground construction of Trump's White House ballroom
A federal judge has suspended work on the visible portion of President Donald Trump's planned White House ballroom, ruling that congressional approval is required. However, construction of an underground bunker may continue, according to the Thursday decision.
Judge questions national security justification
In his ruling, Judge Richard Leon stated that Trump's administration appeared to be reclassifying the ballroom as a national security priority to bypass earlier legal obstacles. "National security cannot serve as an open-ended authorization for otherwise unlawful actions," Leon wrote.
The U.S. Department of Justice has already filed an appeal. Trump responded on social media, calling the ballroom "urgently needed" and asserting that "no judge should have the power to block it."
Legal challenges and preservation concerns
This is the second judicial setback for the project. In late March, Leon temporarily paused construction, agreeing with arguments that proper procedures had not been followed. The lawsuit was brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which accused the White House of violating federal law.
The group argued that the administration failed to submit plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, skipped an environmental assessment, and did not seek congressional authorization. It also claimed the project violated the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress authority over federal property.
Trump defends project as essential for security
In two posts on Truth Social, Trump insisted the ballroom was on budget and ahead of schedule. He criticized the judge's decision as an attempt to "deny future presidents and world leaders a secure, large-scale meeting space."
Trump described the underground portion-a structure he referred to as a "shed" supporting the complex below-as ineffective without the above-ground components. He stated the entire project would include bomb shelters, medical facilities, and other critical infrastructure, though details remain scarce.
"It's all interconnected as one massive, costly, and highly complex unit, vital for the national security and military operations of the United States!"
President Donald Trump
Project scope and funding
The East Wing of the White House, built in 1902, was demolished in October to make way for the ballroom. Initial plans called for a 500-person capacity, but the design has since expanded to accommodate 1,350 guests.
The White House estimates the project will cost $400 million, funded entirely by private donors. However, Trump has suggested that surplus funds from the ballroom could be redirected toward another controversial initiative: a 250-foot (76-meter) victory arch in Washington, D.C.
Federal panel advances Trump's victory arch plans
A federal commission, the Commission of Fine Arts, gave preliminary approval on Thursday for the "Arc de Trump," despite overwhelming public opposition. The panel, composed of Trump allies, voted to proceed with minor adjustments.
The proposed monument, taller than the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, would feature a golden statue resembling the Statue of Liberty. According to a White House spending plan, U.S. taxpayers will contribute $15 million to the project through the National Endowment for the Humanities.
