A federal judge has temporarily halted the construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House, a project spearheaded by President Donald Trump. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon issued a preliminary injunction on 31 March, asserting that while the president acts as a custodian of the historic residence, he does not possess ownership rights over it.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Donald-Trump-white-house-ballroom-map-033126--21add6546e204dbda10e66772b84fad0.jpg)
In his ruling, Judge Leon opined that the President’s authority to demolish the historic East Wing for the ballroom is highly questionable. This decision was made in response to a lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which argued that Trump overstepped his legal bounds concerning alterations to the federally-owned property.
Following the announcement of the judge’s ruling, President Trump took to social media to express his displeasure, describing the lawsuit as unfounded. “The National Trust for Historic Preservation sues me for a Ballroom that is under budget, ahead of schedule, being built at no cost to the taxpayer, and will be the finest building of its kind anywhere in the world,” he wrote on Truth Social, questioning the rationale behind the legal action.
Leon, who was appointed to the bench by former President George W. Bush, had initially dismissed an application from the National Trust to stop the project in December 2025. However, in his latest statement, he recognised the likelihood that the nonprofit would prevail in court, citing a lack of statutory authority permitting Trump to proceed with the demolition.
“The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations,” Leon stated in his order. “He is not, however, the owner!” Referring to the need for legislative approval, he indicated that construction should cease unless Congress authorises the project through the proper legal channels.
Judge Leon noted a potential avenue for President Trump, suggesting that he could seek Congressional approval to fund the ballroom with private contributions. He underscored that Congress maintains ultimate control over federal property and spending, ensuring a system of checks and balances in governance.
“This scenario allows Congress to retain authority over the nation’s assets and oversee government spending,” Leon added, emphasising that it could result in a beneficial outcome for the American public as both branches of government uphold their constitutional responsibilities.
The proposed ballroom is designed to cover 90,000 square feet and has been a prominent element of Trump’s aspirations for the presidential estate. The historic East Wing was dismantled in October 2025 to pave the way for the project, which has faced its fair share of controversies. Notably, Trump has changed the project’s architectural lead and recently disclosed that the expenses would be significantly higher than originally estimated.
Moreover, he claimed last week that a significant military structure is being constructed beneath the ballroom, referring to the project as a “massive complex.” Trump has continuously positioned the ballroom as both a personal and national achievement, maintaining that it is on track despite the legal setbacks.
With the construction paused, it remains to be seen how the legal landscape will evolve and whether the project will eventually gain Congressional approval. The outcome could set a precedent regarding the president’s ability to alter historic federal properties without explicit legislative backing. As it stands, the battle between Trump’s ambitious vision for the White House and the preservation of its historic integrity continues to unfold in the courts.