Judge Halts Trump White House Ballroom Construction Again
A federal judge clarified that most construction on President Trump's $400 million White House ballroom must stay halted. Only underground security bunker work can continue, not the larger aboveground project.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon issued a new ruling Wednesday clarifying his earlier order that halted construction on President Donald Trump's proposed White House ballroom project.
The judge wrote that his previous exception allowing work on security features covers only underground construction of a presidential bunker. The exception does not apply to most of the larger 90,000 square-foot ballroom project above ground.
The $400 million project has already demolished the White House's East Wing. Trump argued that congressional approval was not necessary to build the ballroom, saying he could fund it through private donations.
Judge Leon originally halted the project in March, ruling that Trump lacks authority to fund the estimated $400 million construction through private donations. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a nonprofit chartered by Congress, has challenged the project.
The ruling means the massive construction site at the White House will remain largely frozen while legal challenges continue.
This ruling affects a massive renovation of the White House that demolished the East Wing. The legal fight centers on whether Trump can use private donations for the project without Congress approval.
The legal challenge over funding authority continues in federal court. Construction crews can only work on the underground bunker portion.
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