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WASHINGTON (CN) — The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued President Donald Trump on Friday to block construction of his White House ballroom, arguing the project and his demolition of the East Wing have bulldozed past the necessary reviews by the Trust and Congress.
When Trump began demolishing the historic East Wing in October to build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom, the Trust argues he did so without congressional approval, review by federal oversight commissions, an environmental study or an opportunity for public comment.
“No president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review whatsoever — not President Trump, not President Biden and not anyone else,” the Trust wrote in the 47-page lawsuit. “And no president is legally allowed to construct a ballroom on public property without giving the public the opportunity to weigh in.”
“President Trump’s efforts to do so should be immediately halted, and work on the Ballroom Project should be paused until the defendants complete the required reviews — reviews that should have taken place before the defendants demolished the East Wing, and before they began construction of the Ballroom — and secure the necessary approvals,” the Trust continued.
The Trust is urging Senior U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, to declare the construction unlawful and enjoin further work until required reviews and approvals are completed.
Founded by Congress in 1949, the National Trust for Historic Preservation is a nonprofit organization that advances historic preservation policy and raises public awareness of threats to the nation’s architectural heritage. The organization has filed similar suits across multiple presidential administrations.
“The White House is arguably the most evocative building in our country and a globally recognized symbol of our powerful American ideals,” Quillen said. “Submitting the project to the National Capital Planning Commission for review protects the iconic historic features of the White House campus as it evolves. Inviting comments from the American people signals respect and helps ensure a lasting legacy that befits a government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
After learning of Trump’s unilateral decision to demolish the East Wing, the Trust wrote on Oct. 21 to the National Park Service, the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts, urging them to stop the work and begin required review procedures.
Despite the urgency, the Trust received no response.
According to the Trust, Trump was legally obligated to submit the project to the planning and fine arts commissions before demolition began.
“By evading this required review, the defendants are depriving the public of its right to be informed and its opportunity to comment on the defendants’ proposed plans for the Ballroom Project,” the Trust said. “This public involvement, while important in all preservation matters, is particularly critical here, where the structure at issue is perhaps the most recognizable and historic building in the country.”
Friday’s lawsuit marks the second such challenge to Trump’s East Wing demolition. A separate suit also questioned his plan to repaint the Eisenhower Executive Office Building white, arguing that any demolition or construction requires public review.
The first lawsuit, filed Oct. 23 just hours after demolition ended, was voluntarily dismissed five days later.
In response to Courthouse News’ request for comment on Friday’s filing, White House spokesman Davis Ingle issued the same statement he provided after the Oct. 23 lawsuit.
“President Trump has full legal authority to modernize, renovate and beautify the White House — just like all of his predecessors did,” Ingle said.
Ingle did not respond to questions about whether the White House would wait for, or comply with, a public review of the construction plans, or whether it would accept public comments.
“Just last week, a towering construction crane was erected on the White House grounds, and President Trump recounted that work on the Ballroom Project was audible all night,” the Trust said. “Yet the defendants still have not sough review of the Ballroom Project or obtained the necessary approvals. And the American public, to whom the White House belongs, still has had no chance to provide its input.”
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