Judge orders Trump administration to halt White House ballroom construction

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to halt construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House until Congress approves it. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon granted a request from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, stating that the President lacks the authority to proceed without legislative approval. Leon emphasized that "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!”

Trump had begun demolishing the East Wing to make way for the ballroom, which he claimed would hold 999 guests, funded primarily by private donations.