Judge halts White House ballroom construction, rejects Trump’s national security claim

A federal judge has once again ordered a halt to most construction on a proposed White House ballroom, rejecting claims that the entire project is necessary for national security.

In a new ruling, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon said the argument that the full project should proceed under a national security exception was not valid, calling it an unreasonable interpretation of his earlier order.

The decision blocks above-ground construction on the nearly 90,000-square-foot ballroom, which had been moving forward despite earlier legal challenges. The judge made clear that while certain security-related work—such as an underground bunker—can continue, the larger structure itself cannot proceed without approval from Congress.

The ruling is part of an ongoing legal dispute over the controversial expansion, with critics arguing the project violates federal law and disrupts the historic nature of the White House grounds.

The Trump administration has defended the project, saying the ballroom would include critical security features such as reinforced materials, protective systems, and medical facilities designed to safely host world leaders and major events.

However, opponents—including preservation groups—say those claims are exaggerated and that the ballroom is not essential to national security.

The Justice Department has already appealed the ruling, and the judge has temporarily delayed enforcement to allow time for that process. Still, he warned that any construction moving forward during that period could potentially need to be undone.

As the case continues through the courts, the future of the ballroom project remains uncertain, highlighting the legal and political challenges surrounding major changes to the White House.

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