Federal Judge Blocks Ballroom Construction at White House

Judge Richard Leon previously denied two requests to pause construction at the executive mansion.

Architect Shalom Baranes shows a site plan for the White House ballroom during a meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission in Washington on Jan. 8, 2026. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

A federal judge issued an order March 31 halting for the time being the ongoing ballroom construction project at the White House that was ordered by President Donald Trump.

In his new order, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon said the president of the United States “is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner!”