Judge Halts Above-Ground Construction of White House Ballroom, Allows Subterranean Security Work

A federal judge has blocked above-ground construction of a $400 million White House ballroom, permitting only below-ground work related to national security.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon clarified his earlier ruling, stating that while above-ground construction of the 90,000-square-foot ballroom must cease without congressional approval, subterranean work on security facilities, including bunkers and medical installations, may proceed. He emphasized that national security concerns do not grant carte blanche for unauthorized construction.

President Donald Trump criticized the decision, labeling Judge Leon a "Trump Hating" judge who is obstructing national security efforts. The administration plans to appeal the ruling.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which filed the lawsuit challenging the project, welcomed the court's decision.

The project, funded privately for the ballroom and publicly for security enhancements, had previously led to the demolition of the East Wing of the White House.