In a decisive move that could shape the future of the White House’s iconic grounds, a federal judge cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s $300 million ballroom project, dismissing a request from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to halt construction.
Judge’s Ruling
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, after reviewing the National Trust’s lawsuit, ruled that the construction of the new ballroom may proceed. The judge rejected the preservation group’s bid to temporarily stop the project, stating that the court would hold the administration to a timeline for addressing procedural concerns. “The court will hold them to that,” Leon said, adding that the administration had until the end of this month to meet with the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts.
Legal Background
The National Trust sued the Trump administration last week, alleging that the White House revamp began before the required plans were submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission and before Congress approved the work—steps mandated for construction on federal park land in Washington, D.C. Justice Department attorney Adam Gustafson told the court that the plans were not yet finalized. The lawsuit was filed in an effort to stop what the preservation group calls an expansive and controversial overhaul of the White House property.
Project Details
President Donald Trump has shared new images of the planned ballroom, which is expected to serve as a venue for official events. The East Wing of the White House was demolished in October to make way for a 90,000‑square‑foot structure that will house the ballroom. According to a filing Monday, “above‑ground structural work” on the ballroom is expected to begin in April “at the earliest,” with the overall project slated for completion by summer 2028. Trump has argued that the new building will allow future presidents to host large events indoors instead of on the South Lawn.
Commission and Procedural Issues
The Commission of Fine Arts, an independent federal agency that would have reviewed Trump’s ballroom project, was emptied of its six members in October when the president fired them. The commission has not reappointed new members, and without a quorum it cannot make official decisions. NBC News previously reported that a White House official said the administration was “preparing to appoint a new slate of members.”
The judge noted that attorneys on both sides admitted they were not architectural experts. A key point of contention was whether construction already progressing underground could prevent the court from ordering changes to the plans for the ballroom itself. “If any construction below ground prevents the court from being able to order changes to what happens above ground,” the judge said, “the government should be prepared to take it down.”
Next Steps
A hearing for a preliminary injunction will be held in January, according to the judge. The National Trust’s attorney Tad Heuer quipped that with this administration, “It’s always going to happen in the next two weeks.” The judge’s response was that the court will hold the administration to that timeline, giving them until the end of the month to address the procedural requirements.
Key Takeaways
- The federal judge has allowed the White House ballroom construction to proceed, rejecting the preservation group’s request to halt the $300 million project.
- The National Trust’s lawsuit alleged that the Trump administration began construction without submitting plans to the National Capital Planning Commission or obtaining congressional approval.
- The ballroom’s above‑ground work is expected to start in April, with completion targeted for summer 2028.
The decision marks a significant step in the Trump administration’s effort to transform the White House’s southern grounds, while the preservation group and the legal community await the January hearing to determine whether any further injunctions will be issued.
