A judge’s order to stop construction work on a White House ballroom poses security risks, the Trump administration argued in an emergency motion that seeks to set aside the ruling. The emergency motion filed on Friday (April 3, 2026)in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia argues that U.S. District
Judge Richard Leon’s decision has left the executive mansion “open and exposed” and is “threatening grave national-security harms to the White House, the President and his family, and the President’s staff.”
Judge orders halt on White House ballroom construction, ruling leaves Trump seething
Mr. Leon on Tuesday (March 31, 2026) ruled that construction work on a White House ballroom must pause while a lawsuit works its way through the courts. The lawsuit seeks to halt the $400 million project on the site of the recently demolished East Wing, with plaintiffs arguing that it needs approval from Congress to proceed.
Mr. Leon, an appointee of Republican former President George W. Bush, said he was pausing his order for 14 days in order to allow the administration of President Donald Trump to appeal his decision. The new motion filed by the National Park Service said the federal district court lacks the constitutional authority “to entertain this suit, which rests on a single pedestrian’s subjective architectural feelings.”
