A U.S. judge has temporarily halted President Donald Trump's White House ballroom construction project, ruling that proper procedures were not followed before the project began.
The decision comes after the White House was sued by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
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, said Judge Richard Leon.
Trump criticized the ruling on his social media platform, saying the project is going well, and will be the finest Building of its kind anywhere in the World.
The Trump administration previously said its plan was more economical than renovating the East Wing. It also noted that many presidents made changes to the White House.
Leon's ruling, published on Tuesday, continued: 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!
(U)nless and until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorization, construction has to stop! added the judge, who was appointed by President George W. Bush.
The order takes effect in 14 days, allowing a possible appeal.
In the lawsuit, the preservation group argued that the White House broke the law by beginning construction without filing plans with the National Capital Planning Commission, by not seeking an environmental assessment of the project, and by declining to seek authorization from Congress.
It also alleged Trump was violating the U.S. Constitution, which reserves to Congress the right to dispose of and make all rules regarding property belonging to the United States.
In his conclusion, Leon wrote that with White House approval from Congress, the American people will benefit from the branches of Government exercising their constitutionally prescribed roles.
Not a bad outcome, that!
The National Trust is a nonprofit organization tasked by the U.S. Congress with helping preserve historic sites. The group's president, Carol Quillen, stated that they are pleased with Judge Leon's ruling, considering it a win for the American people regarding a project that significantly impacts an iconic location.
This ruling may represent a crucial moment in the ongoing dialogue surrounding the preservation of the nation's history and architectural legacy against the backdrop of political ambition.
Trump plans to appeal this decision, asserting that he does not need congressional approval to continue construction while emphasizing the potential benefits of the new ballroom.
