Judge Blocks Trump's $400 Million White House Ballroom Plan

Ruling halts construction on proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom project.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 7:24pm

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A cinematic painting of the White House East Wing bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight, with the faint outline of a grand ballroom structure emerging from the shadows, conveying a sense of historical weight and political tension.The proposed $400 million White House ballroom project faces an uncertain future as a federal judge halts construction, citing the need for Congressional approval.Washington Today

A federal judge has issued an order to halt former President Donald Trump's plan to build a $400 million ballroom at the site of the demolished East Wing of the White House, saying no work can proceed "absent express authorization from Congress."

Why it matters

The ruling is a victory for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which argued that Trump should have sought Congressional approval before demolishing the existing East Wing structure. The case raises questions about the president's authority to undertake major construction projects on White House grounds without legislative oversight.

The details

U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Leon's ruling comes after the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed an amended lawsuit last month against Trump and several federal agencies asking to stop construction on the proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom. The judge's order blocks "any further demolition, site preparation work, landscape alteration, excavation, foundation work, or other construction or related work," except for measures strictly necessary to ensure security in the area.

  • The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed an amended lawsuit last month against Trump and federal agencies.
  • An earlier December lawsuit had been dismissed by the judge, who said the organization did not sufficiently prove the president was exceeding his powers.

The players

Richard J. Leon

A U.S. District Court judge who issued the order to halt construction on the proposed White House ballroom project.

National Trust for Historic Preservation

A non-profit organization that filed the lawsuit against Trump and federal agencies, arguing that the president should have sought Congressional approval before demolishing the existing East Wing structure.

Donald Trump

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

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What they’re saying

“No work can proceed "absent express authorization from Congress.”

— Richard J. Leon, U.S. District Court Judge

What’s next

The judge's ruling halts the ballroom project for now, but the case may continue to be litigated. The National Trust for Historic Preservation could seek a permanent injunction, while the former administration may appeal the decision.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the executive branch and Congress over the president's authority to undertake major construction projects on White House grounds without legislative oversight. The ruling is a victory for preservationists, but the ultimate fate of the proposed ballroom remains uncertain.