Judge Rebukes Trump Over ‘Brazen’ Push to Continue White House Ballroom Project

A federal judge on Thursday once again ruled that US President Donald Trump’s plan to build a White House ballroom without congressional approval was unlawful, criticising the Republican leader for claiming that national security concerns justified pressing ahead with the project.

In a 10-page order, US District Judge Richard Leon revised the wording of an injunction he issued on March 31, which had directed construction to stop, after what he described as a “brazen” and “disingenuous” interpretation of that ruling by Trump and federal agencies.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a non-profit organisation authorised by Congress to help protect historic buildings, brought the case, arguing that Trump exceeded his authority when he demolished the historic White House East Wing last October and began construction of the planned 90,000 sq ft (8,360 sq metre) ballroom. The project is estimated to cost more than $400 million and is being funded by corporate donors.

Leon said he was clarifying that his earlier order halted “above-ground construction of the planned ballroom” but permitted “below-ground construction of national security facilities”.

His original March 31 ruling had stated that much of the work must cease, while allowing crews to continue “construction necessary to ensure the safety and security of the White House”.

Trump and federal agencies later argued in court filings that this national security exception applied to the entire project, citing features such as missile-resistant columns and drone-proof roofing. The administration also contended that the ballroom and a proposed military bunker beneath it formed a “single, coherent whole”.

Leon rejected that interpretation, stating that Trump and federal agencies were attempting to “turn this exception on its head” by insisting the entire project could proceed. “I cannot possibly agree,” the judge wrote.

In a series of social media posts on Thursday, Trump described Leon as a “highly political” and “out of control” judge. He argued that the ruling would deny future presidents access to “bomb shelters” and “state-of-the-art hospital and medical facilities”, adding that without the ballroom, no future president could be fully “safe and secure” during major events, inaugurations or global summits.

Leon was appointed by former Republican president George W. Bush.

The Trump administration said in a court filing that it would appeal Thursday’s order to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation had sought clarification of Leon’s earlier injunction. Following Trump’s appeal, the DC Circuit last week also directed Leon to revisit its scope, citing the administration’s national security arguments.

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