Topline
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., blocked the Trump administration from taking “any further action” to construct the White House ballroom at the site of the building’s former East Wing, in a major blow to the president’s plan for a signature White House addition.
Construction equipment is seen at the site of the White House’s former East Wing.
Getty Images
Key Facts
District Court Judge Richard Leon on Tuesday ordered the White House to cease “demolition, site preparation work, landscape alteration, excavation, foundation work, or other construction or related work” on the ballroom after a deadline in 14 days.
Leon acknowledged Trump was the “steward” of the presidential home, but also exclaimed “he is not, however, the owner!”
The judge found the legal challenge from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which prompted Tuesday’s ruling, was likely to succeed unless Congress authorizes its construction, concluding “until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorization, construction has to stop!”
The White House did not immediately return a request for comment from Forbes, but in a post on Truth Social Trump quickly slammed the National Trust, which is also challenging Trump’s planned changes to the Kennedy Center, as “a Radical Left Group of Lunatics.”
Trump also chastised the group for not going after construction projects associated with his political enemies—including the Federal Reserve building renovations Trump claims are “BILLIONS” over budget and California’s high speed rail project.
What To Watch For
The order makes an exception for any construction work required to ensure “safety and security” of the White House.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/zacharyfolk/2026/03/31/trump-ordered-to-halt-white-house-ballroom-construction/
