US Judge Pauses Above-Ground Portion of Trump’s White House Ballroom Project

A federal court has temporarily stopped work on the surface-level construction of President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom, while permitting the development of an underground bunker to continue. The ruling by Judge Richard Leon on Thursday emphasized that legislative approval from Congress is essential for the project, suggesting Trump may have sought to bypass a prior court directive by labeling the ballroom as crucial for national security.

Legal Challenges

Leon stated in his decision that “national security is not a blank cheque to proceed with otherwise unlawful activity.” The Justice Department has announced its intention to appeal the ruling. Trump responded on social media, insisting the ballroom was “needed now” and accusing the judge of attempting to block future leaders from having a secure venue for meetings.

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

Earlier in March, Trump’s ballroom project faced a pause when a judge ruled that the White House had not followed proper procedures before starting construction. The National Trust for Historic Preservation had sued, claiming the administration violated legal protocols by proceeding without submitting plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, conducting an environmental assessment, or securing congressional authorization. The trust also argued that Trump was breaching the US Constitution, which grants Congress authority over federal property.

Project Expansion and Funding

The East Wing, built in 1902, was demolished in October to accommodate the multi-million-dollar ballroom. Since then, the proposed design has grown from a space for 500 guests to one capable of holding 1,350 people. The White House claims the project will cost $400 million, fully funded by private donors. Trump has previously mentioned using any surplus funds from the ballroom to support his victory arch plan.

Meanwhile, a federal panel granted preliminary approval for Trump’s 250-foot victory arch in the nation’s capital, despite widespread public criticism. The Commission of Fine Arts, which includes Trump allies, approved the design with some modifications. The arch, dubbed “Arc de Trump,” features a golden statue resembling Lady Liberty and would surpass the height of the US Capitol and Lincoln Memorial.

Financial Commitments

According to a spending plan released by the White House, US taxpayers will contribute to the victory arch project. The National Endowment for the Humanities will allocate $2 million in special funds and $13 million in matching funds. Trump had noted that his ballroom, described as “fully financed,” would leave room for additional funding of the arch.

Trump also claimed the underground portion of the ballroom—referred to as a “shed” for the complex below—was unnecessary without the above-ground sections. “It’s all tied together as one big, expensive, and very complex unit, which is vital for National Security and Military Operations of the United States of America!” he wrote in a post.