Judge blocks Trump White House construction of $400 million ballroom

Published March 31, 2026 3:36pm ET



A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from moving forward with construction of a nearly $400 million White House ballroom, siding with challengers who argued the project exceeded executive authority.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, marks an early legal setback for the project, pausing development as the court weighs challenges to the administration’s authority to carry out the overhaul.

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