Judge Halts Trump’s Ballroom Construction

A federal judge in Washington, D.C. has placed a temporary restraining order on the construction of a new ballroom initiated by President Donald Trump, despite it being financed by private donations.

On Tuesday, District Court Judge Richard Leon, appointed by former President George W. Bush, ruled that the $400 million ballroom project, situated where the East Wing of the White House once stood, must cease until congressional approval is secured.

“The President could go to Congress at any time and obtain express authority to build a banquet hall and fund it with private contributions,” Leon stated. He added that Congress could also choose to allocate funds for such projects or deem alternative funding methods suitable.

“In any case, this preserves Congress’s authority over public property and its oversight of government spending,” Leon remarked. “The American people will benefit when government bodies fulfill their constitutional roles. That’s a positive outcome!”

The order is set to take effect within 14 days; the Trump administration has until then to file an appeal in the D.C. Circuit Court.

This ruling comes on the heels of accusations from the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) that the Trump administration bypassed Congress. They assert that a necessary federal review process was neglected prior to the demolition of the 90,000-square-foot structure.

“The President of the United States is the custodian of the White House for future generations of the First Family. But he is not the owner!” the judge emphasized.

In contrast, President Trump maintains that renovations and construction at the White House do not inherently require congressional approval, as such consent is only necessary when federal funds are involved.