Federal Judge Blocks Above-Ground Construction of White House Ballroom, Allows National Security Work
President Donald Trump has expressed strong disapproval of a federal judge's decision to halt the above-ground construction of a $400 million White House ballroom. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled that while the construction of the ballroom is suspended, below-ground work related to national security can proceed. This decision follows an appeals court's directive to reassess the national security implications of the project. The ballroom, planned to replace the demolished East Wing, has been a point of contention, with the National Trust for Historic Preservation challenging the project. The administration plans to appeal the decision, arguing that the construction includes essential security features. Judge Leon emphasized that national security concerns do not justify bypassing legal procedures.