Federal court ruling permits underground work tied to security while halting above-ground ballroom construction pending further review.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A federal judge has issued a revised order limiting construction activity on a privately funded White House ballroom project backed by Donald Trump, allowing certain work to proceed while maintaining restrictions on the main structure.
The decision follows a series of legal developments involving the project. A federal appeals court recently ruled that construction could temporarily continue and returned the matter to the lower court for further consideration. That ruling allowed work to proceed through at least April 17 while legal questions are reviewed.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, who had previously ordered a halt to the project, issued a modified opinion clarifying that only specific portions of the construction may move forward. In a written decision, available here, Leon stated that above-ground work on the proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom must remain paused.
“For the reasons that follow, I will further clarify and amend my Order to stop only above-ground construction of the planned ballroom,” Leon wrote. “My Amended Order does not, however, stop below-ground construction of national security facilities, work necessary to provide for presidential security, and construction necessary to protect and secure the White House and the construction site itself.”
The ruling allows continued work on underground infrastructure, including facilities tied to security and operational needs, while prohibiting visible structural development of the ballroom itself.
Leon also addressed arguments raised by the administration regarding judicial oversight of the project, rejecting claims that his orders required ongoing approvals for construction decisions.
“I will close by noting that I have no desire or intention to be dragooned into the role of construction manager,” Leon wrote. “Contrary to Defendants’ suggestion, I have never required Defendants to ‘request and receive written approval’ before proceeding with construction.”
The judge temporarily stayed enforcement of his amended order for seven days to allow the administration time to respond or seek further legal remedies.
The dispute stems from a project announced last year by the White House, described in an official statement as an effort to create a large event space capable of accommodating more guests than existing facilities allow.
“For 150 years, Presidents, Administrations, and White House Staff have longed for a large event space on the White House complex that can hold substantially more guests than currently allowed,” the statement said. “President Donald J. Trump has expressed his commitment to solving this problem on behalf of future Administrations and the American people.”
Legal challenges to the project have focused on whether congressional approval is required before construction can proceed. In an earlier ruling, Leon determined that such authorization may be necessary, prompting the initial halt.
The White House has argued that aspects of the construction are essential for national security and safety, a position reflected in the court’s decision to allow underground work to continue.
The case remains ongoing, with further court proceedings expected to determine whether the broader construction project can move forward.
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