Judge Halts Trump’s White House Ballroom Project

A federal judge has ordered a temporary halt to Donald Trump’s proposed White House ballroom, ruling that the project cannot proceed without congressional approval.

US District Judge Richard Leon blocked further construction on the planned $400 million ballroom, which was to rise on the site of the demolished East Wing of the White House. In his ruling, Leon said the president is the “steward” of the White House, not its owner, and cannot unilaterally authorize a major structural transformation of the historic complex.