Federal judge orders immediate halt to Trump White House ballroom project

WASHINGTON, DC: A federal court has slammed the brakes on President Donald Trump’s ambitious White House ballroom plan, ruling that construction cannot proceed without congressional approval.

In a sharp rebuke on Tuesday, March 31, Judge Richard Leon declared that the project must stop for now, warning that even temporary work during an appeal window could be undone if it violates his order.

Court draws a hard line on presidential authority

Leon’s ruling zeroed in on what he described as a fundamental constitutional issue: who actually has the power to approve such a sweeping transformation of federal property.

“The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner!” Leon wrote, making it clear that stewardship does not equal unilateral control.

At the heart of the case was Trump’s decision to move forward without Congress. The judge did not mince words: “Unless and until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorization, construction has to stop!”

Judge Leon also issued a caution for the immediate future, noting that any construction that defies the ruling within the next two weeks “is at risk of being taken down depending on the outcome of this case.”

He further dismantled the legal argument used to justify the project, rejecting the idea that existing law allows such sweeping changes.

“That law does not allow for the wholesale demolition of entire buildings and construction of new ones,” he wrote. 

Pushing the logic further, Leon warned that such an interpretation could spiral out of control: “Indeed, some might even view tearing down the White House and building a modern skyscraper in its place as an ‘improvement.’”

Despite blocking the project for now, Leon left the door open for it to move forward, but only through proper legislative channels.

“The President may at any time go to Congress to obtain express authority to construct a ballroom,” he wrote, noting that lawmakers could also approve funding or alternative arrangements.

“Either way, Congress will thereby retain its authority over the nation’s property and its oversight over the Government’s spending,” Leon added, calling that outcome “not a bad” one.

Trump defends project, fires back at critics

Trump, who has been personally involved in shaping the ballroom’s design, has consistently framed the project as a long-term legacy addition.

He has also touted the scale and ambition of the plan, declaring, “I think it’ll be the greatest ballroom anywhere in the world.”

Following the ruling, Trump lashed out at those behind the lawsuit, branding them a 'radical left group of lunatics'. Dismissing the legal challenge altogether, he added, “Doesn’t make much sense, does it?”

In a post on Truth Social, he added, “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.”

Trump even questioned the intention behind lawsuit writing, “have they sued on Governor Gavin Newsom’s 'RAILROAD TO NOWHERE' in California that is BILLIONS over Budget and, probably, will never open or be used.”