A historic preservation group sued the
White House, alleging President Donald Trump’s ballroom project bypassed
legally required reviews for protected buildings.
WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — A
congressionally chartered nonprofit has filed a lawsuit against White House,
seeking to halt construction of a new ballroom planned under President DonalTrump,
citing alleged failures to follow historic preservation and planning laws.
Lawsuit challenges White House ballroom
project
The National Trust for Historic
Preservation said on Friday it filed suit in federal court in Washington, DC,
arguing that construction began without required reviews and approvals. The
group contends that the historic East Wing was demolished in October to make
way for the ballroom without proper oversight.
In its filing, the organization said no
president has the authority to remove or alter parts of the White House complex
without undergoing legally mandated review processes. The lawsuit names the
White House and argues that federal preservation and planning requirements were
bypassed.
According to the complaint, the White
House did not submit plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, did not
conduct an environmental assessment, and did not seek authorization from
Congress before beginning construction.
Significance for historic preservation
and governance
The lawsuit marks the first major legal
challenge to the ballroom project, raising broader questions about executive
authority over federally owned historic property. The White House is both the
official residence of the US president and a nationally significant historic
site
The National Trust said the case has
implications beyond the current administration. In its filing, the group stated
that preservation laws are intended to apply uniformly, regardless of which
president is in office.
The organization is asking the court to
order a halt to construction until all required reviews are completed,
including public consultation processes. It argues that allowing construction
to continue could set a precedent weakening protections for historic federal
sites.
Background on the East Wing and ballroom
plans
The East Wing of the White House has
historically housed offices and served ceremonial and operational functions.
Its demolition in October was presented by the administration as a necessary
step to accommodate a large ballroom long sought by past presidents.
President Trump, a former real estate
developer, has said the new ballroom is being financed by private donors.
Initial plans reportedly envisioned a space for about 500 people, but the
proposed capacity has since expanded to approximately 1,350 guests.
The White House had previously indicated
that the project would be reviewed by the National Capital Planning Commission.
The lawsuit, however, claims that extensive construction was already under way
before any such assessment took place.
Reactions from officials and
preservation advocates
In a statement responding to the
lawsuit, the White House said President Trump has full legal authority to
renovate and modernize the executive mansion, noting that previous presidents
have overseen significant changes to the complex.
The administration has described the
ballroom as a “much needed and exquisite addition,” intended to enhance the
White House’s ability to host large official events.
Carol Quillen, president of the National
Trust for Historic Preservation, said the organization felt compelled to take
legal action after raising concerns with the White House in October that were
not addressed. She described the White House as a powerful national symbol
whose preservation carries global significance.
The lawsuit also alleges that the
project violates the US Constitution, which assigns Congress authority over
federal property. The White House has rejected that interpretation.
Construction status and next steps
According to the filing, construction
activity at the White House grounds has intensified in recent weeks. The
lawsuit describes heavy machinery, stockpiled materials, and the installation
of a large construction crane, with work reportedly continuing overnight.
The White House recently replaced the
lead architect overseeing the project. Media reports cited disagreements over
the scale and design of the ballroom as a factor in the change.
President Trump said on Thursday evening
that he expects the ballroom to be completed before he leaves office in 2028.
No court hearing date has yet been announced, and the White House has not
indicated whether it will pause construction while the case proceeds.
Editorial Credits
Author: Sofia Martinez, Global News Editor
Editor-in-Chief: Maria PerezPhoto Credit: Licensed image or
Creative Commons source