Judge blocks Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom plan for now

A federal judge issued an order to halt President Donald Trump’s plan to build a $400 million White House ​ballroom at the site of the since-demolished East Wing, saying no work can proceed “absent ⁠express authorization from Congress.”

U.S. District Court Judge ‌Richard J. Leon’s ruling ​comes after the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed an amended lawsuit last month against Trump and several federal ⁠agencies asking to stop construction ‌on the 90,000-square-foot ‌ballroom. The non-profit group argued that Trump should have sought ⁠Congress’ permission before the demolition of the East Wing.

An earlier ‌December lawsuit had ‌been dismissed by the judge, who said the organization did not ⁠sufficiently prove the president was ​exceeding his ⁠powers.

But ​the latest ruling stops any actions “including but not limited to any further demolition, site preparation work,landscape ⁠alteration, excavation, foundation work, or other construction or related work,” other than ⁠moves that are “strictly necessary” to ensure security in the area.