Trump says White House ballroom can’t be stopped

A legal dispute is unfolding over Trump's planned White House ballroom. The president claims the project cannot be reversed, while preservation groups demand legally required reviews.

President Donald Trump has declared that construction of his planned White House ballroom cannot be reversed. In a Truth Social post, he stated that critical materials have already been ordered, making it “too late” to stop the project.

His statement conflicts with the position taken by Justice Department attorneys in federal court. They have told a judge that the ballroom design remains flexible and that construction above ground won’t begin until April, pending approval from two federal advisory bodies, according to the Washington Post.

Trump demolished the White House East Wing last October to accommodate the ballroom. Critics, including Democrats and preservation organizations, argue the administration should have solicited public feedback before initiating such significant alterations.

Preservation group challenges project

The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in December, alleging the project lacks mandatory regulatory reviews and congressional authorization.

The organization is asking the court to halt construction until proper reviews take place.

– We are fully committed to advocating for compliance with all legally required processes and giving the American people the opportunity to weigh in on a project that affects one of the country’s most historically significant buildings, the foundation stated.