Preservation group sues Trump over proposed White House ballroom

A historic preservation group has filed a lawsuit seeking to halt or alter plans for a new ballroom at the White House, arguing that the project violates federal review requirements and bypasses congressional approval.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is asking a federal court to stop construction of the proposed $300 million ballroom until it undergoes multiple independent reviews and receives approval from Congress. The planned structure would be nearly twice the size of the White House before the demolition of the East Wing.

In its court filing, the non-profit organisation said no president has the legal authority to demolish parts of the White House or undertake major construction on public property without proper oversight.

“No president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review whatsoever — not President Trump, not President [Joe] Biden, and not anyone else,” the lawsuit states.
“And no president is legally allowed to construct a ballroom on public property without giving the public the opportunity to weigh in.”

The proposed ballroom has attracted criticism from preservationists, architects and President Donald Trump’s political opponents, who argue that it could significantly alter the historic character of the White House.

The project is one of several major changes Mr Trump has made to the presidential residence since returning to office in January. These include the installation of gold-themed decorations in the Oval Office and the paving over of the Rose Garden lawn to create a patio similar to one at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

Responding to the lawsuit, White House spokesman David Ingle said the president is acting within his authority. He stated that Mr Trump has the “full legal authority to modernise, renovate and beautify the White House — just like all of his predecessors did.”