Donald Trump officials warn halting $400m White House expansion is threat to national security

Fintan Starkey
Sun, 05 Apr 2026 08:04:10 +0000

The Trump administration has launched an appeal against a federal judge's order suspending work on the £301million ($400 million) White House ballroom, arguing the ruling poses serious security threats.

Lawyers from the US National Park Service filed a motion on Friday claiming the construction halt is "threatening grave national-security harms to the White House, the president and his family, and the president's staff".

"Time is of the essence!" the legal team wrote, emphasising the urgency of installing materials for what they described as a "heavily fortified" facility.

The administration contends that the current open construction site leaves the presidential residence dangerously exposed.

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"Canvas tents, which are necessary without a ballroom, are significantly more vulnerable to missiles, drones, and other threats than a hardened national security facility," the motion states.

US District Judge Richard Leon issued the temporary halt on Tuesday, concluding that a preservationist group challenging the project is likely to prevail in court.

The judge, who was appointed by Republican President George W Bush, determined that "no statute comes close to giving the president the authority he claims to have" without Congressional approval.

Judge Leon acknowledged the practical difficulties of stopping an ongoing building project and suspended enforcement of his ruling for a fortnight to allow the administration time to appeal.

The White House has requested that the appeals court rule by Friday and extend the suspension by an additional two weeks, potentially allowing the matter to reach the Supreme Court.

The ruling arrived the same week that a key federal construction agency granted final approval for the project.

The ambitious project encompasses far more than a grand reception space, with the filing revealing plans for bomb shelters, military installations and a medical facility within the complex.

Construction has required the demolition of the historic East Wing, which was torn down last October to clear the site for the new structure.

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The original wing dated back to 1902, when it was constructed during Theodore Roosevelt's presidency, and was subsequently expanded under Franklin Roosevelt in 1942.

Mr Trump criticised the judge's decision but acknowledged that work on underground bunkers and additional security measures around the White House grounds could proceed regardless.

Taxpayers will fund these security elements, whilst the president has pledged that private donors will cover the ballroom construction costs.

President Trump has pointed to King Charles's forthcoming State Visit as justification for the expansion, arguing the White House lacks adequate space for hosting foreign dignitaries.

"So when the president of China, France, when somebody comes over from the UK, including the King, we have the King coming over very shortly, King Charles, so we can have, like, a large room, because the White House is incredible, but it never had a ballroom," the President explained.

Surveying the building works, the property developer turned President declared: "I love construction. I love building beautiful things."

He predicted the completed venue would be "the finest ballroom anywhere in the world."

The privately funded facility will accommodate up to 1,000 guests and is scheduled for completion before Trump's term ends in 2029.