A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to pause construction of a proposed $400 million ballroom at the White House, ruling that the project cannot proceed without congressional approval.
Donald Trump had moved forward with plans to demolish the East Wing to make space for the ballroom. However, Richard Leon granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday, siding with preservation advocates who challenged the project’s legality.
In his ruling, according to The AP, Leon stated that no existing law grants the president unilateral authority to make such structural changes, emphasizing that the White House is held in trust for future generations, not owned by any one administration.
The lawsuit was filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which argued the project required formal review and congressional authorization. The group praised the decision as a victory for protecting a historic national landmark.
The White House has already filed an appeal. Trump criticized the ruling, arguing that previous changes to the White House did not require congressional approval.
The case is expected to continue as legal challenges unfold.