From The Hill: A federal judge on Thursday declined to halt President Trump’s White House ballroom construction project at the request of preservationists who sued.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon said the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sought to block the $400 million project, did not properly challenge the renovations, but he said the organization could could amend its complaint and the judge would reconsider.
“Until then, however, I have no choice but to deny Plaintiff’s motion for a preliminary injunction for lack of likelihood of success on the merits,” the judge wrote.
The preservationists sought to stop construction of the new ballroom until the White House abides by federal law and other rules, such as obtaining congressional approval and going through multiple independent reviews and a public comment period.
Construction on the new 90,000-square-foot addition is expected to be completed by 2028.
The National Trust had demanded that construction be stopped until the Trump administration obtains approval from Congress and goes through multiple independent reviews and a public comment period. It is unclear whether the group will file a new complaint.
New: Judge Richard Leon says in court ruling he has “no choice” but to deny a request to halt Trump’s White House ballroom construction project.
Leon found the National Trust didn’t bring the right claim for him to hear the suit, but invited an update. https://t.co/zcpJoMFoWm pic.twitter.com/PYOmjPabIQ
— Suzanne Monyak (@SuzanneMonyak) February 26, 2026
President Trump celebrated the ruling in a Truth Social post Thursday afternoon. He wrote:
Great news for America, and our wonderful White House! The Judge on the case of what will be the most beautiful Ballroom anywhere in the World, has just thrown out, and completely erased, the effort to stop its construction. As everyone knows, not one dollar of Taxpayer money is being spent, but rather, all money necessary to build this magnificent building is being put up by Patriot Donors and Contributors.
The Ballroom construction, which is anticipated to also handle future Inaugurations and large State Visits, is ahead of schedule, and under budget. It will stand long into the future as a symbol to the Greatness of America! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 26, 2026
Attorney General Pam Bondi also cheered the judge’s decision. She wrote:
“VICTORY for @POTUS’s big, beautiful ballroom! @thejusticedept attorneys just defeated a bad-faith left-wing legal attack to try and shut down the President’s East Wing Modernization and State Ballroom Project. Not only is this great news for our country and visitors to the White House — it’s an important vindication of the President’s authority.”
VICTORY for @POTUS’s big, beautiful ballroom!@thejusticedept attorneys just defeated a bad-faith left-wing legal attack to try and shut down the President’s East Wing Modernization and State Ballroom Project.
Not only is this great news for our country and visitors to the…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) February 26, 2026
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