Federal Judge Denies Request to Halt $400 Million White House Ballroom Construction

2026-02-27 politics

Washington, Friday, 27 February 2026.
Judge Richard Leon ruled the executive office is not an agency subject to administrative law, allowing the $400 million privately funded replacement of the demolished East Wing to proceed.

Legal Hurdle Cleared for Controversial Expansion

In a decisive ruling issued on Thursday, February 26, 2026, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon rejected a motion by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to halt the construction of President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom [2][3][4]. The decision allows the administration to proceed with the massive infrastructure project on the site of the former East Wing, which was demolished in October 2025 to make way for the new facility [1][5]. While the court declined to issue a preliminary injunction, Judge Leon’s opinion was rooted in procedural specifics rather than an endorsement of the project’s merits; he determined that the White House Office of the Executive Agency managing the construction does not qualify as an “agency” under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), and therefore cannot be sued under the statutes invoked by the plaintiffs [5][8]. Consequently, the court found that the preservationist group had failed to utilize the correct legal vehicle to challenge the President’s statutory authority [5].

A Roadmap for Future Challenges

Despite the immediate victory for the administration, the court provided a distinct legal pathway for the plaintiffs to revive their efforts. Judge Leon noted that he could not address the “novel and weighty” arguments regarding historic preservation because of the jurisdictional mismatch, but he explicitly suggested that the National Trust could restructure its lawsuit to challenge the President’s authority directly through a different legal framework [2][7][8]. The judge committed to “expeditiously” reconsidering the case if the group amends its complaint to question the statutory authority used to conduct the project without congressional approval [5][7]. Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust, confirmed that the organization intends to amend its complaint promptly, stating that while they were disappointed by the denial of the injunction, they were pleased the court recognized their standing to bring the lawsuit [2][4].

Private Funding and Historic Scale

The scale of the proposed ballroom is unprecedented for the executive complex. The project, which has seen its projected cost swell by 100% from an initial $200 million to the current $400 million figure [6], is being financed entirely through private donations [5][6]. The donor list includes major technology and financial firms such as Apple, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Google, Ripple, and Coinbase, as well as the family of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick [5]. Physically, the new structure will dominate the grounds; the design spans approximately 8,268 square meters (roughly 89,000 to 90,000 square feet), which is significantly larger than the 5,110-square-meter Executive Mansion itself [2][5][6]. The facility is designed to accommodate approximately 1,000 guests, a capacity intended to handle future inaugurations and large state visits [4][6].

Political Reactions and Next Steps

President Trump celebrated the ruling on Truth Social, describing the decision as “Great news for America” and asserting that the project is “ahead of schedule, and under budget” [2][4]. He framed the future ballroom as a “symbol to the Greatness of America,” emphasizing that it is funded by “Patriot Donors” rather than taxpayer money [4][6]. Conversely, critics like Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) have condemned the project, labeling the “gold-encrusted ballroom” as a “vehicle for corruption” [6]. Looking ahead, the project faces another administrative milestone on March 5, 2026, when the National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to review the plans [1][4]. The administration has indicated in court filings that above-ground construction is slated to begin as early as April 2026 [1][5].

Sources

Infrastructure Judiciary