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 stated that its plan was more economical than renovating the East Wing, highlighting that many presidents made changes to the White House.
Judge Leon's ruling, which uses a large number of exclamation points, argues that Congress must give approval for the project to resume. 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 emphasized.
The lawsuit by the preservation group argued that the White House broke the law by beginning construction without proper authorization, including failing to file plans with the National Capital Planning Commission and declining to seek Congressional approval for the project. Furthermore, it alleged that Trump was violating the U.S. Constitution, which reserves to Congress the right to manage property belonging to the United States.
Trump, responding to the judge's decision, labeled the lawsuit as frivolous and insisted the project will yield benefits and be a symbol of excellence. He also noted the importance of having an adequate venue for the forthcoming visit of King Charles III, stressing that a ballroom tent wouldn't suffice as protection from the rain. The ruling allows a possible appeal, providing the Trump administration with time to respond.
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 stated that its plan was more economical than renovating the East Wing, highlighting that many presidents made changes to the White House.
Judge Leon's ruling, which uses a large number of exclamation points, argues that Congress must give approval for the project to resume. 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 emphasized.
The lawsuit by the preservation group argued that the White House broke the law by beginning construction without proper authorization, including failing to file plans with the National Capital Planning Commission and declining to seek Congressional approval for the project. Furthermore, it alleged that Trump was violating the U.S. Constitution, which reserves to Congress the right to manage property belonging to the United States.
Trump, responding to the judge's decision, labeled the lawsuit as frivolous and insisted the project will yield benefits and be a symbol of excellence. He also noted the importance of having an adequate venue for the forthcoming visit of King Charles III, stressing that a ballroom tent wouldn't suffice as protection from the rain. The ruling allows a possible appeal, providing the Trump administration with time to respond.
