U.S. District Judge Richard Leon granted a preliminary injunction requested by a preservation advocacy group, temporarily halting further work on the project. The ruling represents a significant legal setback for former President Donald Trump’s plan to build a large-scale event venue on the White House grounds.

In his written opinion, Leon stated that the National Trust for Historic Preservation is likely to succeed in its legal challenge, finding that no statute grants the president the authority claimed to proceed unilaterally with such a project. He emphasized that the president serves as a steward of the White House for future generations rather than its owner, underscoring the historical and institutional significance of the property.

The lawsuit seeks to pause construction until the ballroom project undergoes multiple independent federal reviews and receives approval from Congress. Preservationists argue that the demolition of the East Wing and the initiation of construction bypassed established oversight procedures intended to protect historically significant federal buildings.

The White House first announced the ballroom proposal during the summer of 2025, describing it as a 90,000-square-foot facility designed to accommodate up to 999 guests. Officials said funding would come from private donations, including contributions from Trump himself.

By late October 2025, the East Wing had been demolished to clear space for the new structure. Critics contend that the administration moved forward without consulting key federal review bodies, including the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts, both of which typically evaluate major architectural changes in Washington, D.C.

The court’s injunction pauses construction while the case proceeds, raising broader questions about executive authority, historic preservation, and the governance of nationally significant landmarks.