A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom project, ordering that construction must be halted unless Congress explicitly authorises the plan, dealing a major legal setback to one of the most high‑profile initiatives of his presidency.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, appointed by former President George W. Bush, granted a preliminary injunction on Tuesday, responding to a lawsuit brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which argued that Trump exceeded his legal authority by commencing construction without legislative approval and after demolishing the historic East Wing of the White House.

In his ruling, Leon wrote that the president serves as steward, not owner, of the White House grounds, and that no statute gives him clear authority to undertake such a major structural change without Congress’s consent. The injunction will keep the 90,000‑square‑foot ballroom project on hold while the legal challenge proceeds, though the judge allowed for necessary safety‑related work to continue and granted a short appeal window for the administration.

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The ballroom project has been a signature ambition of Trump’s tenure, envisioned as a large ceremonial space on the White House grounds — funded largely through private donations from corporations and individuals, according to Trump’s team — and touted as a “modernisation” and enhancement of the executive mansion. The East Wing, dating back to 1902, was removed in late 2025 to make room for the new facility, a move critics called controversial and damaging to national heritage.

In statements on social media, Trump denounced the ruling, asserting that the project is under budget, ahead of schedule and funded “without burdening taxpayers”, and claiming that Congress has never been required to approve past alterations. However, preservationists and legal experts contend that the scale of the change — and the demolition of a historic structure — demands legal and legislative oversight.

The legal battle is expected to continue, with the administration planning to appeal the ruling. Unless Congress enacts specific authorisation or the courts overturn the injunction, the ballroom construction is unlikely to proceed, marking a significant constitutional clash over executive authority and congressional oversight of federal property and spending.

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