WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday ordered the Trump administration to suspend its construction of a $400 million ballroom where it demolished the East Wing of the White House.
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U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in Washington granted a preservationist group’s request for a preliminary injunction that temporarily halts President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom project.
Leon, who was nominated to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush, wrote, “I have concluded that the National Trust is likely to succeed on the merits because no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have.”
“The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner!”
Leon suspended enforcement of his order for 14 days, acknowledging that the case “raises novel and weighty issues, that halting an ongoing construction project “may raise logistical issues.” He also recognized that the administration is likely to appeal his decision. The judge also ruled that any construction work that’s necessary to ensure the safety and security of the White House is exempt from the scope of the injunction.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to obtain an order pausing the ballroom project until it undergoes multiple independent reviews and receives approval from Congress.
The White House announced the ballroom project over the summer. By late October, Trump had demolished the East Wing to make way for a ballroom that he said would fit 999 people. The White House said private donations, including from Trump himself, would pay for the planned construction of a 90,000-square-foot (8,400-square-meter) ballroom.
Trump proceeded with the project before seeking input from a pair of federal review panels, the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts. Trump has stocked both commissions with allies.
We should start requiring presidents to put down security deposits upon moving in.
I don’t understand how the system works. 1 judge in the country has a right to stop something on a national scale? This is not a case brought before him
Washington DC is a planned city. The sightline down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House will be blocked by this tacky carbuncle appended to the east side of the structure. That is why the District of Columbia has a Planning Commission. While I suppose eventually the Supreme Court will allow Trump to proceed, such an order will, by necessity, also allow the next president to tear it down should he choose.
What’s next? A Obama judge will rule Trump is not allowed to take a shower?
no one is above the law
these judges are ANTI-AMERICAN and have the never Trump syndrome
Literally two year old babies bust with nonsense. who cares if trump wants a fancy building. Oy vey no kings!
Judges in a civil war vs the American people. Remove them from the bench and let the DemonRats go nuts. Time for us to take back America.