A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to suspend construction of a $400 million ballroom built on the site where the East Wing of the White House once stood, dealing a major blow to one of Trump’s most controversial personal projects
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to suspend construction of a $400 million
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to suspend construction of a $400 million ballroom built on the site where the East Wing of the White House once stood, dealing a major blow to one of Trump’s most controversial personal projects.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday halting the project after the National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to pause construction pending independent review and congressional sign-off.
He is not, however, the owner
Leon wrote that no statute comes close to giving the president the authority he is claiming, and added pointedly that the president “is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner.”
Trump had the East Wing demolished by late October to make way for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom capable of holding 999 guests. The White House claimed private donations, including contributions from Trump himself, would foot the bill.
Both bodies have since been stocked with Trump allies
The president pushed forward with demolition before seeking input from two required federal review panels, the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts. Both bodies have since been stocked with Trump allies.
The National Trust argued the project needed to clear multiple independent reviews and receive congressional approval before any construction could proceed. The court agreed.
