Federal Judge Denies Construction Delay for White House Ballroom

A federal judge has denied a request to temporarily block construction of a new ballroom at the White House. U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon ruled that the National Trust for Historic Preservation did not prove enough irreparable harm to justify halting the project.

However, the judge imposed restrictions on construction, stating that no below-ground structures can be built for the next two weeks, warning that any violation could result in the removal of the newly constructed work.

The National Trust argues that the lawsuit, initiated last week, is about enforcing legal compliance and not the ballroom's necessity. They claim that construction began without necessary reviews and that the environmental impact statement provided by the administration was inadequate.

The Trump administration responded by asserting that they are not legally obligated to submit plans for the demolition or below-ground work and that the project is vital for national security, as delays could hinder the Secret Service's ability to fulfill its protective mission.

President Trump has expressed enthusiasm for the project, which he estimates will cost around $400 million and will significantly enhance the White House's capacity to host large events, moving from the 200-person capacity of the East Room to over 1,000 in the new ballroom.

The project is expected to be completed by summer 2028, shortly before the end of Trump's current term.