Richard J. Leon

Stories

The White House ballroom rush hits court: preservationists ask judge to freeze Trump’s build

As of May 2026: Signaled deep skepticism of Trump's authority at Jan 22 hearing; expected to rule on preliminary injunction in February 2026

At a January 22 hearing on the National Trust's preliminary injunction request, Judge Richard Leon signaled deep skepticism about Trump's authority to tear down "an icon that's a national institution" using $400 million in private donations. Leon called the funding mechanism a "Rube Goldberg contraption" and is expected to rule in February; Trump declared on Truth Social that "IT IS TOO LATE" to stop the project, claiming structural steel, marble, and bulletproof glass are already lined up.

Updated May 15

Notable Quotes

"No president is legally allowed to construct a ballroom on public property without giving the public the opportunity to weigh in," complaint language now before Leon.

from The White House ballroom rush hits court: preservationists ask judge to freeze Trump’s build · Updated May 15

"The nation's top historic preservation group that sued over the project hadn't shown how it was being irreparably harmed by the construction in a way that required immediate court intervention," Leon's reasoning for denying TRO (reported).

from The White House ballroom rush hits court: preservationists ask judge to freeze Trump’s build · Updated May 15

"If there's any 'below-ground' construction that might take place over the next two weeks that could affect the above-ground portion of the ballroom, the administration should be 'prepared to take it down,'" Leon's warning to the White House (reported).

from The White House ballroom rush hits court: preservationists ask judge to freeze Trump’s build · Updated May 15

"I see no basis" in law for using gift authority to raise $400 million for the ballroom—'None. Zero,' Judge Leon to Justice Department lawyer at Jan 22 hearing.

from The White House ballroom rush hits court: preservationists ask judge to freeze Trump’s build · Updated May 15

The $400M private-funding mechanism is a 'Rube Goldberg contraption,' Judge Leon at Jan 22 hearing.

from The White House ballroom rush hits court: preservationists ask judge to freeze Trump’s build · Updated May 15

Leon told the DOJ that maintenance law is 'not (for) $400 million worth of destruction and construction.'

from The White House ballroom rush hits court: preservationists ask judge to freeze Trump’s build · Updated May 15