Demolition of the East Wing of the White House during construction of US President Donald Trump’s proposed ballroom is seen from the reopened Washington Monument, following the longest government shutdown, in Washington, DC, US, November 15, 2025.
Jessica Koscielniak | reuters
A federal judge on Thursday blocked the Trump administration from carrying out above-ground construction work on the controversial proposed White House ballroom in an amended order.
But Judge Richard Lyons’ order allows the administration to continue construction underground, including work related to national security facilities.
Lyon is also allowing above-ground construction “that is strictly necessary to cover, secure, and protect such national security facilities,” as long as that construction “does not approach the size and scale of an above-ground ballroom,” according to him. Order in US District Court in Washington, DC.
The order, which Lyons blocked from taking effect for seven days, is the latest step in a legal battle that began last year when the Trump administration demolished the East Wing of the White House to make way for a $400 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom wanted by President Donald Trump.
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