Federal judge orders Trump pause construction on White House ballroom

The judge said work on the $400 million project must halt pending congressional authorization.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 7:34pm

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A serene, painterly image of the White House at dusk, with the building's iconic facade and grounds rendered in warm, muted tones and deep shadows, conveying a sense of political tension and uncertainty.A court ruling halting construction on a controversial White House ballroom project exposes the limits of presidential power over the iconic residence.Washington Today

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to pause construction on a $400 million White House ballroom project, ruling that the president does not have the authority to undertake such a major construction project without express approval from Congress.

Why it matters

This ruling is a significant check on the president's power, establishing that even the White House and its grounds are not solely under the president's control. It raises questions about the extent of the president's authority over federal property and assets, and whether Congress must approve major renovations or construction projects at the White House.

The details

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, granted a preliminary injunction requested by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to halt further work on the ballroom project. The judge wrote that 'no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have' to unilaterally undertake such a large-scale construction project on the White House grounds.

  • The judge issued the order on March 31, 2026.

The players

Richard Leon

A U.S. District Judge appointed by President George W. Bush.

National Trust for Historic Preservation

A nonprofit organization that filed the lawsuit to block the White House ballroom construction project.

Donald Trump

The former president who initiated the $400 million White House ballroom construction project.

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What they’re saying

“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!”

— Richard Leon, U.S. District Judge

What’s next

The Trump administration is expected to appeal the judge's ruling, setting up a legal battle over the president's authority to make major changes to the White House complex without congressional approval.

The takeaway

This court decision underscores the limits of presidential power, even over the iconic White House itself. It suggests the legislative branch has an important oversight role to play in monitoring and approving significant alterations to the people's house.