A national historic preservation group filed a federal lawsuit Friday seeking to halt the Trump administration’s construction of a new White House ballroom, arguing the president lacked the legal authority to demolish the East Wing without required reviews.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to block work on the planned 90,000-square-foot addition until federal planning commissions and Congress evaluate the project. The filing represents the first major legal challenge to President Donald Trump’s proposed expansion, which he aims to finish before leaving office in January 2029.
According to the suit, the administration failed to submit construction plans to the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts, both of which must review major federal developments in Washington. The Trust also alleges violations of the National Environmental Policy Act, saying the White House did not conduct an environmental assessment before tearing down the East Wing.
“No president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review whatsoever,” the complaint states.
National Trust CEO Carol Quillen said the lawsuit was a “last resort,” arguing the administration has excluded the public from the process.
Trump has repeatedly defended the privately funded $300 million project, and the White House has dismissed criticism as politically driven. (RELATED: Entire East Wing To Be ‘Modernized’ For New White House Ballroom, Administration Says)
At an October donor dinner, Trump recounted advisers assuring him he could act freely: “Sir, this is the White House. You’re the president of the United States; you can do anything you want.”
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This is exactly why nothing ever gets accomplished in Washington.
President Trump should just walk away from it. Leave it a mess, torn down as is. But knowing how President Trump acts he will not do that. He wants the new construction to be a place that stands out and is admired.
The national and international deep state. Paid to protect itself and all government affiliated agencies and entities WITH OUR TAX MONIES.
Why are people always looking for a way to stop President Trump from succeeding? He is doing a lot of good for our country so just leave him alone.
What these groups and individuals are doing is just hateful and uncalled for.
The National Trust suing Trump to stop the Ballroom construction is utterly preposterous. The East Wing has been demolished so what’s their plan should the suit actually stop the construction?
You all realize that the Ballroom is actually a good build; better than bowling alleys, swimming pools and basketball courts to name a few renovations which by the way were meant for the presidential use at that time. This Ballroom is for ALL to use, a place to host visiting dignitaries, congressional events, White House events and to show some real class and respect instead of our guests versus putting up tents and letting the rain, the cold, the disgusting heat and humidity to be the climax of an event.
Y’all are jealous and hateful of a man who is paying for this addition to OUR House with personal funds and donations instead of taxpayer monies. Can’t you be grateful for anything? Is your hate for this man that deep that you can’t see the advantages of this renovation? Apparently not.