Brace yourselves, patriots—President Trump’s bold White House ballroom project is steaming ahead despite legal roadblocks from preservationist critics.
A federal judge recently showed little interest in stopping the $300 million plan, even as a lawsuit aims to stall construction for further scrutiny, The Hill reported.
The drama began when the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed their lawsuit on Friday, claiming the administration dodged critical consultations with federal oversight panels.
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, signaled he’s unlikely to grant a temporary restraining order.
He noted the preservationists couldn’t prove immediate, severe harm to justify freezing the project in its tracks.
Still, Judge Leon warned the government against rushing into irreversible underground changes that could lock in the above-ground design.
“If it does, then the court will address it—I can assure you of that,” Judge Leon declared, putting the administration on notice about historic integrity.
That’s a sharp reminder to Trump’s team: bulldozing ahead without proper process could mean tearing it all down later.
The administration insists below-ground work won’t start until January, with above-ground efforts delayed until April, giving a small window for legal debates.
Judge Leon ordered the government to submit detailed construction plans to federal review bodies by the end of December, enforcing some accountability.
He also slated a deeper hearing for early January to weigh the preservationists’ push for a broader injunction.
The Justice Department, meanwhile, argues national security necessitates moving forward, pointing to Secret Service safety needs and an emergency bunker beneath the ballroom site.
DOJ lawyer Adam Gustafson asserted, “It’s the president’s prerogative to make of the White House what he wishes,” underscoring executive control over the residence.
While that resonates with conservative values of strong leadership, bypassing established reviews risks tarnishing even a well-intentioned project for the American people.
The 90,000-square-foot ballroom, set for state dinners and galas with a $300 million cost mostly from private donors, has already seen the East Wing demolished and aims for a 2028 finish, though preservationists demand congressional approval and public input before more shovels hit dirt.
