U.S. President Donald Trump looks at construction of the White House Ballroom as he arrives for a meeting with oil executives in the East Room of the White House on Friday, January 9, 2026 in Washington, DC, USA.
Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The Trump administration is asking a federal appeals court to suspend the ruling, arguing that a judge’s order to halt construction on a $400 million banquet hall poses a safety risk to President Donald Trump.
In a motion filed Friday, lawyers for the National Park Service said a federal judge’s order blocking construction of the new facility “could pose significant national security harm to the White House, the President and his family, and the President’s staff.”
“Time is of the essence!” the lawyers wrote, citing materials being installed to create a “heavily fortified” facility. The construction of the banquet hall also includes air raid shelters, military facilities and medical facilities, according to the filing. The ballroom is part of President Donald Trump’s plan to quickly rebuild Washington.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in Washington on Tuesday ordered a moratorium on construction projects including the demolition of the East Wing of the White House. He concluded that preservationist groups suing to block the project are likely to succeed on that argument because, unless Congress approves the project, “no law comes close to giving the president the authority he claims he has.”
The judge suspended enforcement of his order for 14 days, allowing the government to appeal his decision.
Leon’s ruling and appeal came the same week that the lead agency tasked with approving construction on federal land in the Washington area gave final approval to the project.
Leon, who was appointed by Republican President George W. Bush, halted enforcement of the order, recognizing in his ruling that “stopping ongoing construction projects may create logistical problems.”
Leung also cited national security in his ruling, saying he had considered information submitted informally by the government and concluded that halting construction did not pose a threat to national security. The injunction exempted construction work necessary for the safety and security of the White House.
President Trump slammed the ruling, but also noted that it would allow construction of bunkers and other security measures around the White House grounds to continue, even if they are paid for by taxpayers. President Trump has promised to work with private donors to pay for the construction of the banquet hall.
But the National Park Service argues in its motion that the president has “full authority to renovate the White House” and that the current state of the site, which is an unchecked construction site, makes it difficult to protect the White House.
“The canvas tents required without the banquet hall are far more vulnerable to missiles, drones, and other threats than hardened national security facilities,” the motion states.
The Trump administration has asked the appeals court to rule on the request by Friday. It also asked for the 14-day suspension order against Leong to be extended for another two weeks so it can file its case with the Supreme Court.
