Capital planning commission to vote on White House ballroom plans

The National Capital Planning Commission will decide on President Trump's proposal for a new ballroom to replace the demolished East Wing.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 4:36pm

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The National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to vote on Thursday on President Donald Trump's plans for a $400 million ballroom to replace the now-demolished East Wing of the White House. The 12-member commission, led by Trump appointees, will evaluate the project's aesthetics and architecture after receiving over 35,000 mostly negative public comments. However, a federal judge has already blocked the construction, ruling that Trump lacks the authority to build the ballroom without congressional approval.

Why it matters

The proposed White House ballroom has sparked significant public backlash and legal challenges, raising questions about the president's authority over White House renovations and the preservation of historic buildings. The commission's vote and the ongoing legal battle could set precedents for future White House construction projects.

The details

The East Wing was torn down in October without any input outside of the White House, after Trump had said his plans wouldn't "interfere with the current building." On Tuesday, a federal judge blocked the construction of the ballroom, saying Trump doesn't have the authority to build it without congressional approval. The National Trust for Historic Preservation had sued the National Park Service to stop the project, and the judge ruled that the trust "is likely to succeed on the merits because no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have."

  • The National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to vote on the ballroom plans on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
  • The East Wing was demolished in October, prior to the commission's vote.
  • On Tuesday, April 1, 2026, a federal judge blocked the construction of the ballroom.

The players

Will Scharf

The White House staff secretary appointed by President Trump to lead the National Capital Planning Commission.

James Blair

A Trump appointee on the National Capital Planning Commission.

Stuart Levenbach

A Trump appointee on the National Capital Planning Commission.

Richard Leon

The U.S. District Judge who blocked the construction of the White House ballroom, ruling that Trump lacks the authority to build it without congressional approval.

National Trust for Historic Preservation

The organization that sued the National Park Service to stop the White House ballroom 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

“In the Ballroom case, the Judge said we have to get Congressional approval. He is WRONG! Congressional approval has never been given on anything, in these circumstances, big or small, having to do with construction at the White House. In this case, even less so, because the Ballroom is being built with Private Donations, no Federal Taxpayer Money!”

— Donald Trump

What’s next

The Trump administration has immediately filed an appeal of the federal judge's ruling blocking the construction of the White House ballroom. The National Capital Planning Commission's vote on the project's aesthetics and architecture will not override the court's decision.

The takeaway

The proposed White House ballroom has become a flashpoint for debates over presidential authority, historic preservation, and the use of private funds for public projects. The ongoing legal battle and the planning commission's vote will likely set important precedents for future White House construction efforts.