Democrats Urge Court To Halt Trump White House Ballroom Construction
About 150 Democratic lawmakers filed an amicus brief on Thursday, May 28, 2026, asking a court to block construction of a new White House East Wing ballroom until Congress gives explicit consent and appropriations.[1]
The brief targets a privately funded $400 million demolition and reconstruction the Trump administration is pursuing.[1] Lawmakers note Congress has appropriated about $2.5 million for routine repairs under an existing maintenance statute.[1] Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has defended the ballroom and related secure facilities as urgent national security needs after recent shootings at the White House Correspondents' Dinner and near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.[1] Ethics groups and preservationists filed separate briefs warning about conflicts from private ballroom donations and arguing the president lacks inherent authority to demolish historic federal property within a national park.[1]
A district judge in March ruled construction could not proceed without congressional approval.[1] An appellate panel has temporarily allowed work to continue and will hear arguments next week.[1]
The appeals court's decision next week could determine whether the project stops while litigation continues, and Democrats say Congress must authorize any major changes to the East Wing.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Thursday, May 28, 2026, about 150 Democratic lawmakers filed an amicus brief in the White House East Wing case urging that construction be halted without explicit congressional consent and appropriations.
- The Trump administration is proceeding with a privately funded $400 million demolition and reconstruction of the East Wing, while Congress has appropriated only about $2.5 million for routine repairs under an existing maintenance statute.
- A district judge in March ruled construction could not proceed without congressional approval, but an appellate panel has temporarily allowed work to continue and will hear arguments next week.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche cites recent shootings at the White House Correspondents' Dinner and near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to justify the ballroom and secure facilities as urgent national security needs.
- Ethics groups and preservationists filed separate briefs this week warning about conflicts of interest from private ballroom donations and arguing the president lacks inherent authority to demolish historic federal property within a national park.
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