Trump Appointee-Led Panel Approves White House Ballroom Project Days After Judge’s Snub

Last Updated:April 03, 2026, 05:38 IST

US planning commission approves Trumps 400 million White House ballroom plan, but a federal judges injunction halts construction amid legal fight over presidential authority

The United States’ National Capital Planning Commission on Thursday (local time) approved President Donald Trump’s proposal to build an enormous ballroom at the White House, days after a federal judge ordered a halt to construction, saying it cannot proceed without Congress’ approval.

The commission, chaired by one ‌of Trump’s former lawyers, deliberated and then voted to approve the “East Wing Modernization Project." The panel, tasked with approving construction on federal property in the Washington region, went ahead with the vote because US District Judge Richard Leon’s ruling on Tuesday affects construction activities, not the planning process, commission spokesperson Stephen Staudigl said.

Will Scharf, the Trump-appointed commission chair, said he personally read every comment submitted to the commission and many of the negative ones were “unresponsive" and “dealt with issues beyond the scope of this commission," such as the ballroom’s funding, the demolition process and Trump.

“I believe that, in time, this ballroom will be considered every bit as much ​of a national treasure as the other key components of the White House," said Scharf, Trump’s former personal lawyer.

But despite the agency’s approval, the judge’s ruling and the legal fight over the ballroom could stall progress on a legacy project that Trump is racing to see completed before the end of his term in early 2029.

Later, Trump thanked the commissioners Thursday night on Truth Social. He said that the $400 million, 90,000-square-foot (8,400-square-meter) ballroom will be a privately financed defining addition to the White House and a lasting symbol of his presidency.

“I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project, which is ​on time and under budget, underway," Trump said.

US Judge Stops Construction

US District Judge Richard Leon ordered the administration earlier this week to halt construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House. The project had begun after the demolition of the East Wing. The court directed an immediate suspension of all work, dealing a setback to the administration’s plans.

Leon granted a preliminary injunction sought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He said the group was likely to succeed in its case, adding that no law appeared to give the President the authority claimed for the project. Leon, who was nominated by former President George W Bush, wrote that the US President is a steward of the White House, not its owner.

“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!" Leon stated in a ruling on Tuesday.

Trump Defends

Trump defended the project, saying it is under budget, ahead of schedule and funded without taxpayer money. He has said the ballroom will be privately financed by donors and will not interfere with the existing structure. Construction began on October 20 last year with demolition work on part of the East Wing.

Trump disputed that Congress must also approve his project.

“We built many things at the White House over the years. They don’t get congressional approval," he told reporters in the Oval Office after the ruling.

The ballroom is ​part of Trump’s broader push to reshape Washington’s monumental core, which also includes plans for a 250-foot (76-meter) arch and ⁠a multi-year renovation of the Kennedy Center performing arts complex. He has also ripped out and replaced the White House Rose Garden ​and added a wide array of gilding to the Oval Office.

News world Trump Appointee-Led Panel Approves White House Ballroom Project Days After Judge’s Snub

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