Judge says White House ballroom construction can't begin above ground

Key Points:

• President Donald Trump criticized a federal judge’s ruling blocking above-ground construction of a $400 million White House ballroom, allowing only below-ground work related to national security facilities.
• U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled that while below-ground security work can proceed, above-ground ballroom construction is suspended without congressional approval, emphasizing national security does not justify unlawful activity.
• The Trump administration plans to seek review of Leon’s decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals and potentially the Supreme Court, following a directive from an appeals court panel to reassess national security concerns.
• The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sued to challenge the project, expressed approval of the court’s ruling, highlighting ongoing legal opposition to the ballroom construction.
• Despite legal challenges, the National Capital Planning Commission granted final approval to the ballroom project on April 2, allowing construction to move forward subject to judicial restrictions.