A US 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.
Judge Richard Leon stated, 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.
Trump criticized the ruling on his social media platform, asserting that the project is progressing well and will be the finest ballroom globally.
The Trump administration argued the plan was more economical than renovating the East Wing, noting that many presidents have made alterations to the White House.
Leon's ruling emphasized that, 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! He asserted that construction must stop unless Congress authorizes it.
The order takes effect in 14 days, allowing for a possible appeal. The preservation group filed the lawsuit claiming the White House proceeded with construction without proper approvals, including from the National Capital Planning Commission and environmental assessments.
Leon concluded that White House projects should gain Congressional approval for the benefit of the American public.
The judge's decision has garnered reactions, with the National Trust releasing a statement praising the ruling and underscoring the necessity of legislative authorization before proceeding.
In response, Trump reaffirmed the project's significance and noted that it is being funded entirely by private donors.
