WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge said Tuesday he is inclined to deny a protectionist group’s request to temporarily halt President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom project, saying the group failed to prove “irreparable harm” would be caused if the project went forward.
U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon said he expected a decision within a day.
Trump demolished the East Wing of the White House and built a grand ballroom in its place, capable of seating 999 people, at an estimated cost of $300 million in private funds.
advertise
advertise
The National Trust for Historic Preservation asked the court last week for a temporary restraining order to halt the project until it undergoes multiple independent reviews and is approved by Congress.
A lawyer for the Justice Department argued at Tuesday’s hearing that the trust did not have standing to sue in the case and that underground construction must continue for national security reasons, which were not outlined in open court. The lawyer also said Trump is not bound by federal laws that the trust said he failed to comply with.
Leon said he will hold another hearing in January.