In April, Federal Judge Richard Leon ruled that above-ground construction of a $400 million White House ballroom cannot proceed without congressional approval, restricting work to below-ground facilities including a bunker and national security infrastructure planned for the site where the East Wing was demolished.

The ruling marks the latest step in a legal dispute between the Trump administration, which contends the project includes critical security features, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sued to challenge the construction. Judge Leon, appointed by President George W. Bush, said in his order that while he recognizes national security implications, “national security is not a blank check to proceed with otherwise unlawful activity.”

Trump’s Response

Trump responded to the ruling on social media, calling Judge Leon a “Trump Hating” judge who was appointed by President George W. Bush and “has gone out of his way to undermine National Security, and to make sure that this Great Gift to America gets delayed, or doesn’t get built.” The administration filed notice it will appeal the decision.

The Judge’s Ruling and Reasoning

Judge Leon clarified that his injunction suspends only above-ground ballroom construction, not the below-ground work on security measures. The government had argued that the entire project is exempt from suspension, but the judge said that argument is “neither a reasonable nor a correct reading of my Order.”

The judge said he reviewed classified material submitted by the government and concluded that halting above-ground construction would not jeopardize national security. He stayed his order for one week to give the administration time to seek Supreme Court review.

In his order, Judge Leon acknowledged the security implications of the case but rejected what he called a “blank check” approach to national security. “National security is not a blank check to proceed with otherwise unlawful activity,” he wrote. He also said he has “no desire or intention to be dragooned into the role of construction manager.”

Carol Quillen, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said in a statement the group is pleased with the court’s ruling. The preservation group argued the construction violates federal historic preservation law.

The appeals court had instructed Leon to reconsider the national security implications of his earlier order blocking above-ground work. Leon’s ruling addresses those concerns while maintaining that the full ballroom project exceeds the scope of the security exception to his injunction.

Project Details

The National Capital Planning Commission, which approves federal construction in the Washington region, granted final approval to the ballroom on April 2.

Trump said the ballroom would accommodate 999 people and is funded by private donations, though public money is covering bunker construction and security upgrades. The East Wing was demolished in December to make way for the project.