Trump’s ballroom may proceed days after court halt
WASHINGTON, April 2: President Donald Trump’s planned White House ballroom is expected to receive approval from the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) on Thursday, days after a federal judge ordered a temporary halt to construction unless Congress authorizes the project. The judge’s ruling affects only construction activities, not the planning process, allowing the commission to proceed with its vote. The ballroom, a major expansion of 90,000 square feet (8,400 square meters), represents the largest structural change to the White House in over 70 years.
Trump announced design changes ahead of the vote, including removing a large south-side staircase and adding an uncovered porch on the west side. Critics had argued the staircase was impractical. The revisions incorporate input from the NCPC, the US Commission of Fine Arts, and public feedback. Lead architect Shalom Baranes is set to present additional refinements to the exterior. The project, now estimated at USD 400 million, has expanded in both scope and cost since last summer. Trump has cited the need for a permanent space for official functions beyond tents on the lawn and plans to fund it through private donations, though public money covers underground security and bunker work.
Construction began after the East Wing was demolished in October, with site preparation and underground work ongoing. Above-ground construction is expected to start in April at the earliest. The NCPC is chaired by White House aide Will Scharf, with several members appointed by Trump, giving the administration significant influence over approval.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued after the East Wing demolition, arguing that Trump proceeded without proper input from oversight commissions or Congress. US District Judge Richard Leon sided with the trust, emphasizing that “the President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations…not the owner.” He allowed security-related construction to continue but blocked other work pending congressional review.
Trump has disputed the need for congressional approval, stating that previous White House projects did not require it. Meanwhile, construction activity continues, with the site busy with cranes and ongoing underground work, as the legal and bureaucratic dispute over the landmark expansion continues. (AP)
