Judge Clears the Way for Trump’s $300M White House Ballroom, Rejects Preservation Group’s Halt Request

A federal judge has cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s $300 million White House ballroom, rejecting a request by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to pause the project.

Judge’s Decision

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon dismissed the preservation group’s request for a temporary halt, allowing construction to proceed. The judge stated that the administration must meet with the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts within the next “two weeks.” He added that the court will hold a hearing for a preliminary injunction in January.

Preservation Group’s Lawsuit

The National Trust sued the Trump administration last week, alleging that the project began before plans were submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission and without congressional approval, as required for construction on federal park land in Washington, D.C. The group’s attorney, Tad Heuer, quipped that with this administration, “It’s always going to happen in the next two weeks.”

Trump Administration’s Response

The administration told Judge Leon that the plans were not yet finalized, but that it expects to meet with the relevant commissions in the next fortnight. Attorney Adam Gustafson, representing the Justice Department, emphasized that the administration is actively working to satisfy regulatory requirements.

Judge’s Timeline

Judge Leon told the court that the government has until the end of this month to comply with the commissions’ review. He emphasized that the court will hold the preliminary injunction hearing in January, giving both sides time to prepare.

President Shares New Images

President Trump posted images of the proposed ballroom, describing it as a venue for official events. The images show a 90,000‑square‑foot structure that will replace the demolished East Wing.

Construction Status and Future Plans

The Trump administration filed a Monday document stating that “above‑ground structural work” on the ballroom is expected to begin in April “at the earliest.” The overall project is projected to be completed by summer 2028.

Underground Work Debate

Attorneys for both sides acknowledged that they are not architectural experts, but the debate centers on whether underground construction already underway would prevent changes to the above‑ground plans. The judge warned that if underground work blocks the court’s ability to order changes, “the government should be prepared to take it down.”

Commission of Fine Arts and Oversight

The Commission of Fine Arts, an independent federal agency, would have reviewed the project. Trump fired all six members of the commission in October and has not reappointed new members, leaving the commission without a quorum.

Quorum and Decision‑Making

Without a quorum, the commission cannot make official decisions. A White House official previously said the administration was “preparing to appoint a new slate of members.”

National Capital Planning Commission

The National Capital Planning Commission is responsible for reviewing plans for construction on federal park land. The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration broke ground before submitting plans to this commission.

Congressional Approval Requirement

Construction on federal park land in Washington, D.C. requires approval from Congress. The lawsuit claims the administration proceeded without such approval.

Judge’s Ruling on the Halt Request

Judge Leon rejected the National Trust’s request to temporarily halt the project, allowing the construction to continue while the court schedules a January hearing. He emphasized that the government must comply with the commissions’ review process.

Judge’s Statement on Compliance

The judge noted that the government has until the end of this month to meet with the commissions. He also warned that any obstruction of the court’s ability to order changes could force the government to remove underground work.

Impact on Future Presidents

Trump has argued that the new ballroom will allow future presidents to host large events indoors instead of on the South Lawn. The project’s completion by summer 2028 would provide a new venue for official functions.

Tad Heuer’s Comment

Tad Heuer, the national trust’s attorney, said, “It’s always going to happen in the next two weeks.” His comment was made during the hearing on Tuesday.

Judge’s Response

The judge replied, “The court will hold them to that.” He added, “They have until the end of this month.”

Key Takeaways

• A federal judge has cleared the way for Trump’s $300M White House ballroom, rejecting the preservation group’s halt request.
• The administration must meet with the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts within the next two weeks.
• A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for January, with the project expected to start above‑ground work in April and finish by summer 2028.

The decision marks a significant step in the Trump administration’s plan to expand the White House, despite opposition from historic preservation advocates.