President Donald Trump is moving forward with construction of a new White House ballroom after a federal judge rejected an effort to temporarily halt the project.
The ruling allows work on the East Wing site to continue while imposing limited procedural requirements on the administration.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation had sought to pause construction, arguing that federal preservation laws require public and expert review before demolition.
The group warned that rapid construction risks erasing historic elements without oversight.
The White House argues the 90,000-square-foot ballroom project has not reached a stage that legally requires review by federal planning bodies.
WHITE HOUSE UPGRADE: President Trump announced construction has begun on the new White House Ballroom, a privately funded project that will provide a long-desired venue for state events and official gatherings. pic.twitter.com/b4jMlPtScd
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 20, 2025
The administration also maintains the president has unilateral authority to build on White House grounds.
Judge Richard Leon ordered the administration to submit plans to the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts.
The $400 million project is privately funded and has not yet received congressional approval.
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TIPP Staff
