Donald Trump’s plan to build a $300 million White House ballroom is facing a legal challenge from the National Trust Preservation Committee, which claims the president bypassed required reviews.
The nonprofit filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for D.C., seeking to pause construction until a public comment period and proper regulatory process are completed. “No president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review whatsoever,” the group said.
The new 90,000-square-foot ballroom, privately funded by Trump and corporate donors, would accommodate up to 1,000 guests and dwarf the existing 55,000-square-foot main building. Construction has already demolished the East Wing, Jacqueline Kennedy’s garden, the colonnade, and other historic areas.
The National Trust argues that Trump violated the Administrative Procedures Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and exceeded his constitutional authority by fast-tracking the project without congressional approval.
The White House maintains that Trump acted within his legal rights, noting he appointed aides to the National Capital Planning Commission shortly before announcing the project.
Spokesman Davis Ingle said, “President Trump has full legal authority to modernize, renovate, and beautify the White House—just like all of his predecessors did.” Preservationists, however, insist proper review ensures protection of the iconic building and invites public input on the historic campus.