Focus on the BIG picture.
Thursday, Dec 18, 2025
Outside the box.
Federal Judge Allows Trump’s White House Ballroom Construction to Proceed Amid Lawsuit
Despite legal challenges from preservationists, demolition work continues on Donald Trump’s planned White House ballroom after a judge declines to halt the project
Work on President Donald Trump’s controversial White House ballroom project continues despite a lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation seeking to halt construction until legal reviews and approvals are completed.
On Tuesday, a federal judge declined to issue a temporary restraining order requested by the preservation group, allowing the project to proceed while legal proceedings continue.
The decision came after the Trust argued that the administration bypassed mandatory reviews and public input when it began demolition of the historic East Wing of the Executive Mansion.
The 90,000-square-foot ballroom, which Trump has proposed to be a privately funded venue for major White House events, is to be constructed on the site of the demolished East Wing.
While the judge allowed preliminary and underground work to continue, he emphasised that such work must remain reversible and limited until more definitive architectural plans are submitted.
A follow-up hearing is scheduled for January to reassess whether the project should be blocked pending further review.
The preservation group’s lawsuit contends that the demolition and construction should have undergone environmental assessments, design reviews and public comment periods, and that such processes are required before work of this magnitude proceeds on federal property.
The National Trust also argues that Congress should have considered and authorised the project, citing statutory oversight responsibilities.
In response, the Trump administration has maintained that the president has broad authority to renovate and modify the White House, citing historical precedent and asserting that the preservation group lacks legal standing to halt the project.
It has also characterised aspects of the construction as important to national security and has offered to provide classified details in camera to the court.
The ballroom is projected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars and, according to administration filings, will not begin above-ground construction before spring 2026, with completion targeted before the end of Trump’s second term.
On Tuesday, a federal judge declined to issue a temporary restraining order requested by the preservation group, allowing the project to proceed while legal proceedings continue.
The decision came after the Trust argued that the administration bypassed mandatory reviews and public input when it began demolition of the historic East Wing of the Executive Mansion.
The 90,000-square-foot ballroom, which Trump has proposed to be a privately funded venue for major White House events, is to be constructed on the site of the demolished East Wing.
While the judge allowed preliminary and underground work to continue, he emphasised that such work must remain reversible and limited until more definitive architectural plans are submitted.
A follow-up hearing is scheduled for January to reassess whether the project should be blocked pending further review.
The preservation group’s lawsuit contends that the demolition and construction should have undergone environmental assessments, design reviews and public comment periods, and that such processes are required before work of this magnitude proceeds on federal property.
The National Trust also argues that Congress should have considered and authorised the project, citing statutory oversight responsibilities.
In response, the Trump administration has maintained that the president has broad authority to renovate and modify the White House, citing historical precedent and asserting that the preservation group lacks legal standing to halt the project.
It has also characterised aspects of the construction as important to national security and has offered to provide classified details in camera to the court.
The ballroom is projected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars and, according to administration filings, will not begin above-ground construction before spring 2026, with completion targeted before the end of Trump’s second term.
