President Donald Trump on Tuesday blasted a lawsuit challenging the construction of a new White House ballroom and other renovation projects after a federal judge ordered work on the ballroom halted unless Congress approves it.
Judge Halts Project Pending Appeal Fight
The ruling marked a setback for one of Trump’s signature Washington makeover plans and quickly set up another legal fight between the administration and preservationists.
According to a report by the Associated Press, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon granted a preliminary injunction sought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sued over the project after the East Wing was demolished. Leon paused enforcement of his order for 14 days to allow for an appeal and said work tied to White House safety and security could continue.
Trump Insists Congress Approval Is Unneeded
Speaking in the Oval Office during an executive order signing, Trump said he would appeal and argued the judge was wrong to say congressional approval was required because private donors, rather than taxpayers, are financing the ballroom.
He later repeated that argument on Truth Social, writing, “In the Ballroom case, the Judge said we have to get Congressional approval. He is WRONG!” Trump also said presidents have not needed congressional approval for similar White House construction in the past, especially when no taxpayer money is involved.
Judge Says White House Is Not His
Earlier Tuesday, Trump lashed out at the lawsuits more broadly, saying on social media that the White House ballroom and the Trump Kennedy Center were “under budget, ahead of schedule” and among the most magnificent buildings of their kind, while other national problems were being ignored.
He later argued the preservation group should instead target renovations at the Federal Reserve, which he has repeatedly attacked as he pressures Chair Jerome Powell over interest rates.
Leon’s ruling turned largely on separation-of-powers concerns. “The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families,” he wrote. “He is not, however, the owner!” The judge said Trump began work on a federally owned complex without congressional authorization and without the required review process involving planning and design bodies.
Trump, on Monday, shared revised renderings of a proposed White House ballroom during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One. Construction on the privately funded project began last fall, following the demolition of the East Wing. The administration has said the ballroom will span 90,000 square feet and Trump has said it will hold nearly 1,000 guests.
Image via Shutterstock/ Mason Lawrence
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