Trump sued by preservation group over $300m White House ballroom project

"Donald Trump is facing a federal lawsuit seeking to halt construction on his $300m White House ballroom, with historic preservationists accusing the president of violating multiple federal laws by tearing down part of the iconic building without required reviews or congressional approval. The legal challenge, filed on Friday by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the US district court for the District of Columbia, represents the most significant attempt yet to stop Trump's 90,000-sq-ft addition to the White House complex."

"The organization, which was chartered by Congress in 1949 to facilitate public participation in preserving sites of national significance, argues that Trump rushed demolition of the historic East Wing in October over objections from preservationists who urged the White House to pause and submit plans to federal review panels. The lawsuit names Trump and several administration officials as defendants, and it alleges violations of the national capital planning act, the national environmental policy act, and the constitution's property clause, which reserves oversight of federal property."

A federal lawsuit seeks to halt construction of a $300m, 90,000-sq-ft White House ballroom, accusing the president of demolishing part of the East Wing without required federal review or congressional approval. The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed the challenge in US district court in Washington and is seeking a temporary restraining order to freeze all construction activities until proper oversight procedures are completed. The complaint alleges violations of the National Capital Planning Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Constitution's property clause. The suit names the president and several administration officials and follows an earlier dismissed emergency motion. Polls indicate substantial public opposition to the project.

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