The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit on Friday, saying that the White House did not seek the necessary reviews before demolishing the East Wing in October.
"No president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review whatsoever — not President Trump, not President Joe Biden, and not anyone else," the first-of-its-kind lawsuit said.
Group says construction should be stopped
The group has asked a federal group to order the halt of construction of the ballroom, pitched as a "much-needed and exquisite addition". It says rebuilding should only be allowed after the White House "complies with the law by going through the legally mandated review processes".
Carol Quillen, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said, "The White House is arguably the most evocative building in our country and a globally recognised symbol of our powerful American ideals."
In the lawsuit, the group claims the White House violated the law by starting construction without submitting plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, failing to conduct an environmental assessment of the project, and refusing to seek authorisation from Congress.
It also says that Trump is violating the US Constitution, "which reserves to Congress the right to dispose of and make all rules regarding property belonging to the United States".
White House hits back
Meanwhile, the White House has said, "President Trump has full legal authority to modernise, renovate, and beautify the White House - just like all of his predecessors did."
The White House had previously pledged that its construction plans would be reviewed by the National Capital Planning Commission before work began, but the lawsuit alleges that the site is already undergoing extensive construction.
According to the filing, the White House grounds have become “a bustling construction site, with dozens of workers driving piles, stockpiling materials, and amassing heavy machinery.”
