A federal judge has sharply limited President Trump’s controversial plan to build a new White House ballroom, allowing only security-related construction to continue — and drawing a clear line against moving forward with the main project.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled that while underground work tied to presidential safety — such as bunkers, reinforced facilities, and other protective infrastructure — may proceed, the proposed above-ground ballroom cannot. He rejected the administration’s argument that the entire $400 million project is necessary for security, saying that interpretation would “turn [his] exception on its head.”
The decision stems from a lawsuit by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which argues the project cannot move forward without congressional approval. Leon previously agreed, finding no law that gives Trump the authority to build the ballroom on his own — and ordering construction halted until Congress signs off.
The administration has framed the East Wing overhaul as a security upgrade, pointing to missile-resistant supports, blast-proof glass, and anti-drone protections. Trump himself recently described the ballroom as effectively “a shed” for those features. But preservationists counter that the security concerns are overstated and self-created.
For now, the ruling leaves the project in limbo: underground work can continue, but the marquee ballroom — designed to host up to 1,000 guests — is on hold. Leon briefly paused his order for a week to allow for appeal, setting up the next phase in a high-stakes legal fight over the future of the White House grounds.
