Judge Signals Possible Halt to Trump's $400M White House Ballroom Plan

At a Washington, DC hearing, Judge Richard Leon criticized Donald Trump’s plan to convert the White House East Wing into a $400 million ballroom and signaled he may halt the project after a lawsuit by the National Trust for Historic Preservation argues it lacks proper authorization and reviews. White House lawyers contend no outside approval is needed and some funding is private, while federal review bodies have delayed votes pending public input. Leon, who has previously ruled against the preservationists, called the administration’s arguments 'brazen' and said a ruling is expected by the end of March, underscoring ongoing questions about presidential alterations to the historic residence.