President Trump’s White House ballroom project can proceed for now after a U.S. District Court judge denied a preservation group’s request to pause construction. The judge, Richard Leon, left open the possibility that the group could file a revised complaint.
Trump hailed the decision in a social media post, writing, “Great news for America, and our wonderful White House! The Judge on the case of what will be the most beautiful Ballroom anywhere in the World, has just thrown out, and completely erased, the effort to stop its construction.” Leon’s opinion, however, did not go that far.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation argued the president did not follow proper procedure in tearing down the East Wing and in soliciting private donations to fund the approximately $300 million ballroom. Leon said he was not deciding the case on its merits because of how the lawsuit was framed, and he encouraged the Trust to amend its complaint. He wrote that if the group amended its filing “the Court will expeditiously consider it and, if viable, address the merits of the novel and weighty issues presented.”
The National Trust said it was disappointed the court did not grant a preliminary injunction but welcomed the judge’s finding that it has standing and his invitation to amend the complaint. “We are also pleased that he encouraged us to amend our complaint—specifically, to assert that the President has acted beyond his statutory authority—and we plan to do so promptly,” said Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust.
The planned ballroom, designed to seat about 1,000 guests, has been a long-sought project for Trump and has generated controversy and public opposition. The Commission of Fine Arts, an architectural review panel now with several Trump appointees, recently voted to approve the project despite not having seen a final design; staff said the commission had received more than 2,000 public comments, about 99% of them negative.
The White House is also seeking approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, which is scheduled to review the ballroom plans at its March 5 meeting; final approval is not expected until April. In his post, Trump said the ballroom construction “is anticipated to also handle future Inaugurations and large State Visits, is ahead of schedule, and under budget,” calling it a symbol of American greatness.