U.S. District Judge Richard Leon has temporarily halted construction of President Donald Trump's $400 million White House ballroom project, citing a lack of statutory authority for the president to undertake such extensive renovations without congressional approval.
Key Takeaways
A federal judge has temporarily halted construction of President Donald Trump's $400 million White House ballroom project, citing a lack of congressional approval. The National Capital Planning Commission approved the plans despite the injunction.
- Judge Richard Leon issued an injunction stopping work on the 90,000-square-foot ballroom replacing part of the East Wing
- The ruling takes effect in 14 days, allowing time for a potential appeal by the Trump administration
- The National Trust for Historic Preservation brought the legal challenge, questioning funding and adherence to federal guidelines
- President Trump has defended the renovations as privately funded and necessary for modernization
The ruling comes amid growing criticism of Trump's extensive renovations to the presidential residence and grounds. According to multiple sources, Leon issued an injunction stopping work on the 90,000-square-foot ballroom that would replace part of the East Wing. In his decision, Leon stated that 'no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have.' The ruling takes effect in 14 days, allowing time for a potential appeal by the Trump administration.
The legal challenge was brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which argues the project lacks proper congressional approval and public input. According to CBS News, the trust questioned the $400 million project's funding mechanism and adherence to federal guidelines. President Trump has defended the renovations, claiming they are privately funded and necessary to modernize the White House.
Meanwhile, an anonymous art group known as The Secret Handshake installed a satirical golden throne toilet on the National Mall near the Lincoln Memorial. According to Reuters and HuffPost, the artwork includes a plaque mocking Trump for prioritizing White House renovations over pressing national issues. Previous installations by the same group have targeted other controversial aspects of Trump's presidency.
The ballroom project is designed to seat 1,000 guests and will cost at least $300 million according to estimates by President Trump. According to Fox News, Trump has described the ballroom as part of a larger 'massive complex' with enhanced security features including bulletproof glass and drone-proof protections.
The National Capital Planning Commission, which is chaired by Will Scharf who was appointed by President Trump, approved the project despite the judge's ruling. According to The Guardian, UPI, and Reuters, James Blair and Stuart Levenbach, also Trump appointees, are on the commission. The commission's decision could have significant implications for the future of the White House and its grounds.
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