A federal judge has declined to temporarily stop the construction of President Trump’s White House Ballroom, despite a lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon pointed out that the organization failed to demonstrate any significant harm that would occur if the construction continued. He noted that while underground work began in January, no above-ground work had started yet.
However, Leon did indicate to the Trump administration that if they alter the above-ground structure, they would need to be ready to undo any below-ground modifications as well.
“If that occurs, rest assured the courts will handle it,” Leon stated.
The administration is required to submit construction plans to two federal review boards by the end of December.
The preservation group filed their lawsuit on Friday, seeking a temporary restraining order to pause the project until it can undergo independent reviews and public comment periods, which must be approved by Congress.
They contended that the government was bypassing laws that necessitate consultations with the National Capital Planning Commission and the Fine Arts Commission before any major changes are made.
On the other hand, the Trump administration argues that the ballroom’s construction is tied to national security. According to reports, the administration defended its stance in a 36-page filing which included a declaration from Matthew C. Quinn, a deputy director of the U.S. Secret Service, responsible for security matters related to the president and other senior officials. He mentioned that more work would be necessary at the East Wing of the White House to ensure compliance with safety and security requirements.
Interestingly, the filing did not specify any particular national security concerns. The administration even suggested sharing classified information with the judge in a private meeting, without the plaintiffs present.
