Appeals Court Temporarily Lifts Leon Ballroom Block, Allowing Full White House Construction
A federal appeals court temporarily lifted Judge Richard Leon's injunction, allowing full White House ballroom construction to resume while legal challenges continue. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit granted an administrative stay of Leon's order, letting both the above-ground ballroom and the underground bunker proceed at least until a June 5 hearing.
Leon had earlier blocked most above-ground work but allowed below-ground "national security" excavations to continue, saying only necessary safety-and-security work is exempt. He rejected the administration's argument that the whole project falls under a security exception, writing "That is neither a reasonable nor a correct reading of my Order!" The privately funded plan involves about 90,000 square feet and has been estimated at roughly $400 million after unexpected East Wing demolition last October.
The Justice Department argued delays would imperil the president and leave a dangerous hole beside the Executive Residence, and it urged the appeals court to lift Leon's block. President Trump attacked Leon on social media, calling him a "Trump Hating" judge and urging work to continue. Preservationists and the National Trust welcomed Leon's block as a win for review and oversight.
Early mainstream reports from outlets like the New York Times, PBS, NPR and ABC emphasized Leon's renewed injunction and his narrow allowance for only below-ground security work. Those stories highlighted Leon's skepticism that the administration could treat the entire 90,000-square-foot ballroom as a security exemption and noted his one-week stay to permit appeals. CBS then reported the D.C. Circuit granted an administrative stay allowing all construction to continue pending a June 5 hearing, shifting the public legal landscape. Social media reaction tracked that shift, with critics celebrating the court check and supporters demanding faster completion or punishment for the judge.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- On April 18 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit granted an administrative stay allowing all White House ballroom construction — including the above‑ground ballroom and the underground presidential bunker — to resume at least until a June 5 hearing under the court’s briefing schedule.
- U.S. District Judge Richard Leon had repeatedly ordered above‑ground construction on the proposed White House ballroom halted, clarifying that his injunction blocks above‑grade work while permitting only necessary below‑ground "national security" work to proceed.
- Leon’s written clarification said treating the entire ballroom project as covered by a security exception was “neither a reasonable nor a correct” reading of his order; he expressly allowed excavations, bunkers, military installations and medical facilities below the ballroom but barred above‑ground ballroom work except to cover or secure it.
- The Justice Department and administration lawyers have appealed, arguing Leon’s rulings imperil the president and national security and would leave a large hole beside the Executive Residence; Leon briefly stayed his order for one week to allow appellate review and the administration signaled it may seek D.C. Circuit and Supreme Court intervention.
- President Trump publicly attacked Judge Leon on social media (including Truth Social), calling him a "Trump Hating" or "highly political" judge, accusing him of undermining national security, and insisting the ballroom is critically important.
- Preservationists supported Leon’s injunction: the National Trust for Historic Preservation, whose lawsuit prompted the halt, welcomed the clarification, while the administration notes the project received final approval from the National Capital Planning Commission on April 2.
- Background on the project: Trump unexpectedly demolished the East Wing in October after announcing a privately funded 90,000‑square‑foot White House ballroom; reporting places the total project cost at about $400 million (higher than roughly $300 million in donations cited earlier).
đź“° Source Timeline (6)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit granted an administrative stay of Judge Richard Leon's order that had blocked most above-ground White House ballroom construction.
- The stay allows construction of both the ballroom and underground presidential bunker to continue at least until a June 5 hearing, according to the court's briefing schedule.
- The Justice Department's appeal argued Leon's ruling would imperil the president and national security and leave a large hole beside the Executive Residence.
- President Trump publicly blasted Leon on Truth Social, calling him a 'highly political Judge' and insisting the ballroom is 'deeply important' to national security and that the underground work is 'useless' without the above-ground sections.
- The article reiterates that Trump unexpectedly demolished the East Wing in October after announcing a privately funded ballroom plan, and that the National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to block the new East Wing.
- NPR/AP piece details Leon's new written clarification after a D.C. Circuit panel said it lacked information on how much of the project could be halted without endangering security.
- The ruling explicitly states the administration may proceed with excavations, bunkers, military installations and medical facilities below the ballroom, but must stop above-ground ballroom construction except for any work needed to cover or secure it.
- The article quotes Leon's line that treating the entire project as covered by the safety-and-security exception is 'neither a reasonable nor a correct' reading of his order.
- The story notes Trump’s latest social-media attack calling Leon a 'Trump Hating' judge who is undermining national security and trying to delay or block the 'Great Gift to America.'
- The administration has filed notice that it will again seek review from the D.C. Circuit and may go to the Supreme Court, with Leon staying his order for one more week to allow such appeals.
- The piece reiterates that the National Trust for Historic Preservation, whose lawsuit prompted the injunction, welcomed Leon's clarification and that the ballroom project received final approval from the National Capital Planning Commission on April 2.
- ABC/AP piece specifies the project cost at $400 million, higher than the roughly $300 million in donations cited previously.
- Confirms the ballroom plan follows demolition of the East Wing and describes the project as 90,000 square feet.
- Details Trump’s latest social‑media attack on Judge Richard Leon, calling him a 'Trump Hating' judge and accusing him of undermining national security.
- Notes that the administration has filed notice it will again seek D.C. Circuit review of Leon’s clarified order, with a further stay of one week.
- Quotes Leon’s written rejection of the administration’s argument that the entire ballroom is covered by the security exception ('That is neither a reasonable nor a correct reading of my Order!').
- Judge Richard Leon, responding to D.C. Circuit instructions, clarified that his injunction continues to block above‑ground ballroom construction but explicitly allows only below‑ground work on a bunker and other 'national security facilities' to proceed.
- The administration has filed notice that it will again seek review from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and may seek Supreme Court intervention, with Leon staying his latest order for one week to allow that.
- President Trump publicly attacked Judge Leon on social media, calling him a 'Trump Hating' judge who is undermining national security and trying to delay or stop what Trump calls a 'Great Gift to America.'
- National Trust for Historic Preservation president Carol Quillen said the group is pleased with the ruling, underscoring preservationists’ support for the continued halt on above‑ground work.
- Government lawyers argued the entire ballroom project should be treated as a national‑security exception; Leon rejected this, stating that only necessary safety-and-security work is exempt from his injunction.
- The judge has once again ordered above‑ground construction on the proposed White House ballroom to stop, indicating a renewed or extended injunction rather than a one‑off pause.
- The ruling specifically targets resumed or planned above‑grade work after earlier court actions, reinforcing that only certain security‑related or underground elements may proceed.
- The decision underscores continuing judicial skepticism about the administration’s attempt to treat the project as primarily a security upgrade exempt from normal historic‑preservation review.