A federal judge has once again ruled against President Trump’s plan to build a White House ballroom without congressional approval. The judge found fault with the administration’s claim that national security necessitated the project, accusing officials of creating a safety hazard.
The project involved demolishing the East Wing to make way for a 90,000 square-foot ballroom. Legal challenges arose over the lack of congressional approval for the construction.
While the overall project remains halted, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon has allowed some national security-related work to proceed. Specifically, underground construction on a presidential bunker beneath the planned ballroom can continue.
The judge’s rulings represent a continued legal setback for the Trump administration’s efforts to move forward with the ballroom project as initially proposed.