A federal judge on Tuesday, March 31, blocked US President Donald Trump from proceeding with the construction of a proposed $400 million ballroom at the White House.
In his ruling, Judge Richard Leon stated that the president does not have the unilateral authority to undertake such a major project without approval from the United States Congress. He emphasized that federal law requires legislative authorization before construction can begin.
“Unless and until Congress authorizes this project through legislation, construction has to stop,” Leon ruled, noting that both the president and lawmakers could still collaborate to advance the project legally.
The Trump administration has already signaled plans to appeal the decision.
At the center of the dispute is whether the president can independently authorize a large-scale development on federal property. The lawsuit, filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, argued that moving forward without congressional approval violated the law.
Reacting to the ruling, the organization described the decision as a victory for the American public.
Trump, a former real estate developer, has been closely involved in the ballroom’s design, including decisions on layout and materials. He previously described the project as potentially “the greatest ballroom anywhere in the world.”
The proposed structure would span approximately 89,000 square feet—significantly larger than the White House’s main Executive Mansion, which is about 55,000 square feet.
The president had aimed to complete the project by summer 2028 and maintained that it did not require congressional oversight. However, the court’s decision reinforces Congress’s authority over federal property and spending.
Despite the setback, the ruling leaves open the possibility for the նախագproject to move forward if Congress chooses to approve or fund it through proper legislative channels
