Donald Trump's controversial White House ballroom project halted by judge

A judge has halted the construction of Donald Trump's controversial White House ballroom.

All above-ground work on the US president's $400m (£296m) pet project must pause after district judge Richard Leon's ruling on Thursday.

But below-ground work can continue on a bunker and other "national security facilities" at the site, where the now-demolished East Wing of the White House once stood.

It means builders are free to proceed with constructing any excavations, bunkers, military installations, and medical facilities below the planned ballroom.

Mr Trump has since taken to social media to express his dismay at the decision of the "Trump hating" judge.

He said Judge Leon "has gone out of his way to undermine National Security, and to make sure that this Great Gift to America gets delayed, or doesn't get built".

Government lawyers argued that the project includes critical security features to guard against a range of possible threats, including drones, ballistic missiles, and biohazards.

Read more from Sky News:
Israel accused of 'violating' ceasefire deal with Lebanon
Trump's oil blockade is bringing Cuba to its knees

But the judge disagreed, writing: "Defendants argue that the entire ballroom construction project, from tip to tail, falls within the safety-and-security exception and therefore may proceed unabated.

"That is neither a reasonable nor a correct reading of my Order!"

The Trump administration said it will take the decision to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sued to challenge the project in December, said in a statement that it was pleased with the court's ruling.

If it is completed, Mr Trump's plan to build a 90,000sq ft ballroom for up to 999 people will mark the biggest structural change to the White House in more than 70 years.

The judge's ruling marks the latest development in the legal fight over the project.

Earlier this month Judge Leon barred construction of the ballroom without congressional approval.

But days later the plans were approved by the National Capital Planning Commission, the agency responsible for approving construction on federal property in Washington DC.

Mr Trump says the project is funded by private donations, although public money is paying for the bunker construction and security upgrades.

(c) Sky News 2026: Donald Trump's controversial White House ballroom project halted by judge