A federal judge has ordered a pause on construction of President Donald Trump’s proposed ballroom at the White House, ruling that the administration cannot proceed without authorization from Congress. The decision temporarily blocks work on a large-scale renovation that would significantly alter part of the historic complex. ?️⚖️

Richard J. Leon of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia granted a preliminary injunction requested by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In his ruling, Leon concluded that no existing law gives the president unilateral authority to undertake a project of this magnitude. He emphasized that while the president serves as steward of the White House, the property ultimately belongs to the American people and falls under congressional oversight.

The judge’s order includes a 14-day stay, allowing the administration time to appeal. During this period, construction is effectively frozen, leaving uncertainty about whether work can resume in the near future. The project—estimated at roughly $400 million—would replace the demolished East Wing with a nearly 90,000-square-foot state ballroom funded by private donors.

Leon’s opinion stressed that large structural changes to federal property typically require legislative approval. He noted that past renovations cited by the administration, such as smaller recreational additions, were not comparable in scale. According to the ruling, the ballroom project represents a substantial alteration to a historic government site and therefore falls within Congress’s authority.

The lawsuit was filed by the National Trust, which argued that the administration moved forward without sufficient review and that the project could permanently change the historic character of the White House. The organization also questioned how the funding and oversight were being handled, particularly the involvement of federal agencies.

Although the judge blocked construction for now, he made clear that Congress could still authorize the project through legislation. If lawmakers approve the plan, construction could proceed with proper legal backing. The administration has maintained that the president has broad authority to modernize the White House and warned that halting work could create operational challenges.