Federal Judge Allows Trump’s $400M White House Ballroom Project to Continue

A federal judge has refused to halt President Trump's controversial $400 million White House ballroom construction project after preservationists challenged its legality. The National Trust for Historic Preservation failed to meet the requirements for a preliminary injunction to stop the massive 90,000 square foot ballroom that will replace the demolished East Wing.

WASHINGTON – A federal judge has denied a request to stop President Donald Trump’s massive $400 million White House ballroom construction project, allowing work to continue on the controversial renovation.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon rejected the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s attempt to secure a preliminary injunction that would have halted the project while their lawsuit moves forward. The preservationist organization argued the construction violates federal laws and lacks proper congressional approval.

Leon determined that the National Trust’s legal arguments didn’t satisfy the stringent requirements needed for a court order to stop the work temporarily. However, the judge indicated the organization could revise their legal complaint.

“Unfortunately, because both sides initially focused on the President’s constitutional authority to destruct and construct the East Wing of the White House, Plaintiff didn’t bring the necessary cause of action to test the statutory authority the President claims is the basis to do this construction project without the blessing of Congress and with private funds,” Leon stated in his decision.

The National Trust filed their lawsuit in December against Trump and multiple federal agencies, claiming the project proceeded illegally without necessary approvals, environmental studies, or congressional authorization.

Trump’s demolition crew tore down the historic East Wing in October. The structure, originally constructed in 1902 during Theodore Roosevelt’s administration and significantly expanded in 1942 under Franklin Roosevelt, previously contained the first lady’s offices, a theater, and an entrance for visiting foreign dignitaries.

The planned ballroom represents just one of multiple significant modifications Trump has implemented at the White House since taking office in January 2025. The president has also installed gold decorative elements throughout the Oval Office and transformed the Rose Garden lawn into a paved patio similar to his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida.

The preservation group contends that federal statutes prohibit construction on federal parkland in Washington without explicit congressional permission. They also claim the National Park Service broke federal law by conducting an environmental assessment rather than a comprehensive impact study, and by releasing it after demolition had already started.

“No president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review whatsoever – not President Trump, not President Biden, and not anyone else,” the lawsuit stated.

Leon previously refused to grant a temporary restraining order requested by the National Trust in December.

The Trump administration has maintained the project’s legality, stating it continues a tradition of presidential renovations. Administration lawyers argued in court documents that the ballroom is essential for state functions, design plans are still developing, and above-ground construction won’t begin until April, making an injunction unnecessary.

The rapid demolition of the East Wing sparked criticism from preservationists and other opponents, who viewed the project as reflecting the Republican president’s assertions of broad presidential authority. Trump has stood by the project, writing on his Truth Social platform that using private donations means “ZERO taxpayer funding.” Trump described the proposed ballroom as a “desperately needed space.”

While no definitive completion timeline has been announced, the White House has stated the project will finish “long before the end” of Trump’s presidential term.

Neither the White House nor the National Trust for Historic Preservation immediately provided comments when contacted about the ruling.