US Judge Lets Trump’s $400M White House Ballroom Project Move Forward, Declines Preservationists’ Bid to Halt Construction

A US judge declined to block President Donald Trump from proceeding with construction of a $400 million White House ballroom to replace the demolished East Wing, finding that a challenge from preservationists did not meet the high bar required for a preliminary injunction.

 

US District Judge Richard Leon’s ruling came in a lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which is seeking to halt construction until the White House complies with federal laws and regulations, including congressional authorisation. The group had sought a preliminary injunction to freeze work on the planned 90,000-square-foot (8,360-square-metre) ballroom while its case proceeds.

 

The Trump administration has argued that the project is consistent with established presidential renovation practices and serves the public interest.

 

In his ruling, Leon said he could not issue an injunction based on the specific arguments advanced by the National Trust, but noted the group could amend its complaint to reassert claims that Trump is acting beyond his authority.

 

“Unfortunately, because both sides initially focused on the President’s constitutional authority to destruct and construct the East Wing of the White House, the plaintiff did not bring the necessary cause of action to test the statutory authority the President claims is the basis to carry out this construction project without the blessing of Congress and with private funds,” Leon wrote.

 

Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, called the decision “great news for America, and our wonderful White House”. He said the ballroom “will stand long into the future as a symbol to the greatness of America”.

 

National Trust President Carol Quillen said the organisation was disappointed the judge did not issue an injunction but was “pleased that he encouraged us to amend our complaint — specifically, to assert that the President has acted beyond his statutory authority — and we plan to do so promptly”.

 

Major White House renovations

 

The National Trust sued Trump and several federal agencies in December, arguing the project moved ahead unlawfully without required approvals, environmental review or authorisation by Congress.

 

Trump’s demolition of the East Wing — part of the White House complex originally built in 1902 during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency and significantly expanded in 1942 under Franklin D. Roosevelt — was carried out in October. Construction equipment tore down the structure, which had housed the first lady’s offices, a theatre and a visitors’ entrance used by foreign dignitaries.

 

The ballroom project is one of several major changes Trump has made to the White House since returning to office in January 2025. He has added gold accents throughout the Oval Office and converted the Rose Garden lawn into a paved patio resembling one at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

 

The National Trust argues federal law bars construction on federal parkland in Washington without express congressional authority. It also contends the National Park Service violated the law by issuing an environmental assessment instead of a full impact statement, and by releasing it after demolition had begun.

 

“No president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review whatsoever — not President Trump, not President Biden, and not anyone else,” the lawsuit said.

 

The administration has defended the project’s legality, arguing it follows a long line of presidential renovations. In court filings, it said the ballroom is needed for state functions, its design is still evolving, and above-ground construction is not planned until April, making an injunction unnecessary.

 

Last week, the US Commission of Fine Arts approved Trump’s ballroom proposal in a unanimous 6–0 vote. The commissioners had been appointed by Trump in January.

 

Trump’s swift demolition of the East Wing drew criticism from preservationists and other opponents, who view the project as an extension of the Republican president’s claims of expansive executive power. Trump has defended the plan, saying private donations mean “zero taxpayer funding”, and describing the ballroom as a “desperately needed space”.

 

No firm completion date has been announced, but the White House said it will be “long before the end” of Trump’s term.

 

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