Overview
- Filed Friday in Washington, the National Trust for Historic Preservation seeks a temporary restraining order to pause the project.
- U.S. District Judge Richard Leon scheduled a hearing for Tuesday to consider the request to stop work.
- The suit names the president, the National Park Service, the Interior Department and the General Services Administration, citing alleged violations of the Administrative Procedure Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.
- Plaintiffs say the administration demolished the East Wing and advanced plans for a roughly 90,000‑square‑foot, $300 million ballroom without consulting the National Capital Planning Commission or the Commission of Fine Arts.
- The White House argues the project is privately funded and within presidential authority and says plans will be submitted to the NCPC this month, while site activity continues at the former East Wing.