A federal judge has put a stop to President Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom project — at least for now.
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According to Reuters, US District Judge Richard Leon ordered all construction on the White House ballroom to pause as part of the request from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a nonprofit organization that filed a lawsuit against President Trump over him execeeding his authority when he had the East Wing demolished to make way for the ballroom.
In his order, the judge stated, “Where does this leave us? Unfortunately for Defendants, unless and until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorization, construction has to stop!”
Judge Leon said he would be pausing his order for 14 days to allow the Trump administration to appeal. However, the order does not affect “construction necessary to ensure the safety and security of the White House.”
Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust, spoke out about the ruling. “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,”
The U.S. federal judge previously rejected the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s lawsuit.
“Unfortunately, because both sides initially focused on the President’s constitutional authority to destruct and construct the East Wing of the White House, Plaintiff didn’t bring the necessary cause of action to test the statutory authority the President claims is the basis to do this construction project without the blessing of Congress and with private funds,” the judge stated.
Trump praised the ruling, referring to it as “Great news for America.” He then added that the project was ahead of schedule and under its now $400 million budget.
President Trump Responds to the Judge’s Ruling
In a post on his Truth Social platform, President Trump unleashed about the judge’s ruling.
“In the Ballroom case, the Judge said we have to get Congressional approval. He is WRONG!” he wrote. “Congressional approval has never been given on anything, in these circumstances, big or small, having to do with construction at the White House.”
He then noted, “In this case, even less so, because the Ballroom is being built with Private Donations, no Federal Taxpayer Money!”
President Trump also slammed the National Trust for Historic Preservation for the lawsuit. “The National Trust for Historic Preservation sues me for a Ballroom that is under budget, ahead of schedule, being built at no cost to the Taxpayer, and will be the finest Building of its kind anywhere in the World.”
Trump announced the new ballroom in late 2025.