Appeals Court Overrules Judge Blocking Trump’s $400 Million White House Ballroom Construction

(SeaPRwire) –   A federal appeals court has permitted President Donald Trump to proceed with the construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House. This decision comes one day after a lower court judge maintained a block on above-ground work at the former East Wing site.

Late Friday, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit temporarily stayed the order from U.S. District Judge Richard Leon that halted part of the project. The panel set a hearing for June 5 to examine the case.

In his Thursday ruling, Judge Leon sustained the block on above-ground construction of the 90,000-square-foot (8,400-square-meter) ballroom addition. He permitted only below-ground work on a bunker and other “national security facilities” at the location to continue.

Trump demolished the East Wing last fall to make space for the large ballroom. The National Trust for Historic Preservation subsequently filed a lawsuit to stop construction, contending that Trump exceeded his authority by advancing the project without obtaining necessary approvals from key federal agencies and Congress.

Leon ruled in favor of the nonprofit at the end of March but temporarily suspended his decision, allowing the underground work to proceed. The Trump administration then appealed the ruling.

Trump has described the ballroom as a much-needed addition to the White House complex. He asserts his right to build it, stating the cost will be funded by donations from wealthy individuals and corporations, while taxpayer money will cover security-related expenses.