Judge Skeptical of White House East Wing Demolition Plan

A federal judge in Washington expressed sharp skepticism Tuesday toward the Trump administration's defense of a $400 million plan to demolish the White House's East Wing and build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom, questioning whether the project qualifies as a mere alteration under existing federal law.

U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon, appointed by former President George W. Bush, presided over a hearing prompted by a lawsuit from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The nonprofit group seeks a preliminary injunction to halt further work until Congress provides explicit approval, arguing that the initiative violates legal requirements for major changes to historic federal properties. Demolition of the East Wing facade began on October 20, 2025, and the administration plans to start aboveground construction in April, with the ballroom intended for state dinners, galas, and official events by 2028.

Justice Department attorneys maintained that a longstanding federal statute, including the National Park Service Organic Act, grants the president broad authority to alter or improve the White House as needed. They cited historical precedents, such as President Gerald Ford's...