A nonprofit organization authorized by the U.S. Congress to preserve historical heritage has sued the White House, seeking to stop the construction of President Donald Trump’s new ballroom.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed the lawsuit arguing that the White House failed to undergo the required legal reviews before demolishing the historic East Wing in October.
“No president is legally allowed to demolish parts of the White House without any form of review — not President Trump, not President Joe Biden, and not anyone else,” the lawsuit states.
Meanwhile, the White House has described the project as a “much-needed and excellent addition.”
The lawsuit is considered the first major legal challenge against the ballroom project. The organization is asking a federal court in Washington to halt construction until the White House “complies with the law by undergoing the legally mandated review processes,” including a period for public comment.
“The White House is undoubtedly the most iconic building in our country and a globally recognized symbol of our enduring American ideals,” said Carol Quillen, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, an organization established in 1949 by an act of Congress.
The group says it was “forced” to turn to the courts after the White House ignored concerns raised since October.
The lawsuit claims the White House violated the law by starting construction without presenting plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, without seeking an environmental review, and without obtaining authorization from Congress.
It further alleges that President Trump is violating the U.S. Constitution, “which grants Congress the authority to dispose of and regulate all property belonging to the United States.”
In response, the White House stated that “President Trump has full legal authority to modernize, renovate, and beautify the White House – just as all his predecessors have done.”
The East Wing was demolished in October to make way for the multi-million-dollar ballroom, which Trump says is financed by private donors.
Since then, the project has expanded from a 500-person ballroom to a space capable of hosting up to 1,350 guests.
Although the White House had promised that the plan would be subject to review by the National Capital Planning Commission before construction began, the lawsuit claims that extensive building work has already started.
