'Construction has to stop!': Judge orders a halt to Trump's ballroom
A judge has halted Donald Trump's construction of a ballroom at the White House.
The president demolished the East Wing of the property in order to build a much bigger space, including a massive ballroom.
But a federal judge in Washington DC ordered a halt to the immense project with a temporary injunction."
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Construction workers watch as work continues on a largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House. AP
"The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families," Judge Richard J Leon wrote in his decision.
"He is not, however, the owner!"
In a scathing judgement, Leon declared the president could not carry out extensive renovations without congressional approval.
"No statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have," the judge wrote.
Leon said while presidents were able to carry out "care, maintenance and repair", the existing laws "bring to mind things like replacing the lightbulbs, fixing broken furniture, and changing the wallpaper".
Trump hit back at the judge in a Truth Social post.
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Wires, rebar, and debris are seen as work continues on a largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington, before construction of a new ballroom. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) AP
"In the Ballroom case, the Judge said we have to get Congressional approval. He is WRONG!" the president wrote.
"Congressional approval has never been given on anything, in these circumstances, big or small, having to do with construction at the White House.
"In this case, even less so, because the Ballroom is being built with Private Donations, no Federal Taxpayer Money!"
It appears Trump did not read the injunction, because the judge had detailed how previously renovations were authorised and funded by Congress.
Leon is an experienced judge who was appointed to the bench by President George W Bush.
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Donald Trump shows off plans for his new White House ballroom while on Air Force One. AP
"Unless and until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorisation, construction has to stop!" Leon wrote.
The ballroom as it is currently designed has drawn the consternation of architects across the United States.
When Washington DC was planned by Pierre L'Enfant under the instructions of President George Washington, the Capitol was intended to be visible down Pennsylvania Avenue.
Trump's ballroom would impede that line-of-sight.
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