Court Allows Temporary Continuation of Construction on Trump’s White House Ballroom

WASHINGTON – In a recent decision, a federal appeals court has given President Donald Trump the green light to proceed with the construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House. This comes just a day after a lower court judge had halted above-ground construction at the site of the former East Wing.

On Friday, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit temporarily suspended the order by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, which had stopped part of the project. The appeals court has scheduled a hearing for June 5 to further examine the case.

Judge Leon’s order on Thursday had restricted above-ground construction of the planned 90,000-square-foot (8,400-square-meter) ballroom, although it permitted the continuation of below-ground work, including a bunker and other national security facilities at the site.

Last fall, President Trump initiated the demolition of the East Wing to make way for the expansive ballroom. This action led the National Trust for Historic Preservation to file a lawsuit, claiming that Trump exceeded his powers by advancing the project without obtaining necessary approvals from crucial federal agencies and Congress.

Leon ruled in favor of the nonprofit group at the end of March, but put his decision on hold for a brief period while allowing the underground work to continue. The administration appealed.

Trump has said the ballroom is a long-overdue addition to the White House complex and argues that he has the right to build it because the cost will be covered by donations from wealthy individuals and corporations, though taxpayer dollars will pay for the security aspects.