Judge halts White House ballroom project in Washington, D.C.

The White House in Washington, D.C. / Photo: Shutterstock, photo editor: Dastan Shanay

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to halt construction of a proposed $400 million ballroom at the White House, ruling that the project cannot proceed without congressional approval, according to The Associated Press.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon granted a preliminary injunction after the National Trust for Historic Preservation asked the court to stop the construction. The lawsuit argues the administration does not have the authority to continue the project on its own.

«The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner!» Leon wrote in his ruling.

The project would replace the East Wing with a 90,000-square-foot ballroom designed to accommodate 999 people. Construction has already altered the historic grounds, but it remains unclear how the ruling will affect work that has been completed.

Leon’s order temporarily halts further construction, though work related to security and safety may continue. He also delayed enforcement of the injunction for 14 days, citing the logistical challenges of stopping an ongoing project and the likelihood of an appeal.

In his decision, Leon rejected the administration’s argument that the president has broad authority over federal construction projects in Washington.

«This clearly is not how Congress and former Presidents have managed the White House for centuries, and this Court will not be the first to hold that Congress has ceded its powers in such a significant fashion!» he wrote.

The administration has already appealed the decision. President Donald Trump criticized the ruling, saying previous White House construction projects did not require congressional approval.