A nonprofit organization appointed by the US Congress to safeguard historic sites has initiated a lawsuit against the White House, aiming to halt the construction of President Donald Trump’s new ballroom. The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed the lawsuit on Friday, asserting that the White House neglected to conduct essential reviews prior to the demolition of the historic East Wing last October.
The lawsuit contends that no president has the legal authority to dismantle parts of the White House without undergoing the required review processes. This includes all presidents, such as Trump and his successor, President Joe Biden. According to the legal filing, the White House has breached this critical protocol.
In its statement, the National Trust for Historic Preservation emphasized the importance of adhering to federal regulations. The organization is requesting that a federal court in Washington, DC, halt the ongoing construction until the White House complies with the law by following the legally mandated review processes, which include a public comment period.
“The White House is arguably the most evocative building in our country and a globally recognized symbol of our powerful American ideals,” said Carol Quillen, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Established in 1949 through a congressional charter, the organization felt compelled to take legal action after the White House disregarded its concerns raised back in October.
The lawsuit details several allegations against the White House, including starting construction without submitting plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, failing to seek an environmental assessment for the project, and neglecting to obtain authorization from Congress. The organization claims that President Trump is violating the US Constitution, which reserves to Congress the authority to manage and establish regulations regarding property owned by the United States.
In response to the lawsuit, the White House issued a statement asserting that President Trump possesses full legal authority to modernize, renovate, and enhance the White House, much like all his predecessors. The East Wing was demolished to pave the way for Trump’s multi-million dollar ballroom, which the President claims is funded by private donors.
Since the demolition, the proposed plans for the ballroom have expanded significantly. Initially designed to accommodate 500 people, the updated blueprint now includes a space capable of hosting 1,350 guests. The White House had previously assured that its construction plans would undergo assessment by the National Capital Planning Commission before any work commenced, but the lawsuit claims that extensive construction is already taking place.
The lawsuit describes the White House grounds as a hectic construction site, with numerous workers operating heavy machinery, driving piles, and stockpiling materials. Just last week, a towering construction crane was erected on the premises, and President Trump noted that the sounds of construction related to the ballroom project were audible throughout the night. Additionally, the White House recently replaced the architect overseeing the project, as the previous lead architect reportedly had conflicts with Trump officials regarding the size and scope of the addition.