Trump 'Has to Stop' Constructing White House Ballroom Without Congressional Approval, Federal Judge Rules

President Donald Trump must halt construction of the White House ballroom, according to a ruling by US District Judge Richard Leon on Tuesday.

The Details: Leon sided with the National Trust for Historic Preservation – a private charter of Congress – that "no statute comes close to giving the president the authority he claims to have" in enacting construction of a historical building without congressional approval. He thus granted a preliminary injunction with an implementation delay of 14 days, which allows the Trump administration time to file its anticipated appeal. The National Capital Planning Commission is reportedly set to vote on the measure on Thursday. 

Leon's Ruling: The conclusion of Leon's ruling reads, "Unfortunately for Defendants, unless and until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorization, construction has to stop! But here is the good news. It is not too late for Congress to authorize the continued construction of the ballroom project… Congress will thereby retain its authority over the nation's property and its oversight over the Government's spending. The National Trust's interests in a constitutional and lawful process will be vindicated. And the American people will benefit from the branches of Government exercising their constitutionally prescribed roles. Not a bad outcome, that!"

For Context: The ballroom's construction began in October, and the East Wing's subsequent destruction prompted the National Trust's initial lawsuit against Trump and US agencies in December. Leon, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, reportedly said the Trust's lawsuit needed revisions before receiving approval. The ballroom is set to fill 90,000 square feet and cost about $400 million (up from an initially reported $250 million) – a cost privately funded by Trump. On Sunday, the president announced plans for the US military to construct "a massive complex" under the East Wing. 

RELATED: Trump's White House Ballroom: Upending Norms, but a Good Addition? | AllSides

How The Media Covered It: CNN (Lean Left bias) and other outlets on the left highlighted quotes from Leon's ruling that appeared to support the National Trust, while New York Post (Lean Right) highlighted quotes from the same ruling that appeared to support Trump's agenda. However, outlets across the political spectrum emphasized the lavishness and size of the ballroom. Furthermore, both CNN and the New York Post noted that Trump crafted the US Commission of Fine Arts panel, which voted to approve the ballroom's design in February. The Post added that Trump offered to pay for a White House ballroom while former President Barack Obama was in office. 

Reuters (Center) framed the pause as a "sharp setback for the Justice Department." The outlet highlighted some of the East Wing's historical relevance and did not detail the national security aspects of Trump's defense.

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