Judge mocks White House East Wing ‘alteration’ as a ‘brazen interpretation of the laws of vocabulary’

During a testy hearing in federal court, senior US District Judge Richard Leon pushed back against the Trump administration's claim that the White House's planned $400 million ballroom renovation and East Wing demolition could proceed without explicit congressional authorization.

“The Trump administration’s arguments in defense of the massive White House ballroom project on Tuesday found virtually no purchase before a federal judge, who appears ready to rule that the president skirted the law by undertaking construction without congressional approval”

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Leon questioned whether the project qualifies as an alteration under the relevant laws, calling such characterization a brazen interpretation of the laws of vocabulary.

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The session in Washington, DC, underscored the stakes of the dispute brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation over whether the administration can move forward without Congress.

Leon challenged the administration's assertion that the National Park Service either has authority over the project or has approved it.

"This isn't any national park," he said, stressing that the White House remains the central site of the plan.

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Yaakov Roth, a Justice Department lawyer, said the White House's Executive Residence was directing 100% of the project and that the Park Service's role was limited to funding.

The judge suggested that Park Service involvement could undermine the Trust's ability to seek relief, asking, "Who is directing this project?"

The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed the case last year seeking an order to block further work at the East Wing site until Congress approves the project.

“The Trump administration’s arguments in defense of the massive White House ballroom project on Tuesday found virtually no purchase before a federal judge, who appears ready to rule that the president skirted the law by undertaking construction without congressional approval”

CNN

Leon had previously declined to block construction, but Tuesday's session indicated the ruling could change if the Park Service's role is recognized.

He said he intended to issue a decision by the end of March, adding that an appeal by the losing side was likely.

The Justice Department has warned that above-ground work on the ballroom could begin as soon as April if the project proceeds.

Trump has been personally involved in the ballroom's details, from floor plans to marble selection.

The project is approximately 89,000 square feet, according to lead architect Shalom Baranes.

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The Executive Mansion measures 55,000 square feet.

Trump has maintained that the work is not subject to oversight and should proceed without serious scrutiny.

He has promised the project will be complete in the summer of 2028, months before he leaves office.