White House East Wing Litigation Intensifies Over Trump Ballroom Construction Plan
The ongoing White House East Wing litigation escalated Thursday after nearly 150 Democratic lawmakers filed a legal brief challenging the Trump administration’s proposed ballroom construction and East Wing demolition project.
In the court filing, attorneys representing the lawmakers argued that the president cannot authorize major construction at the White House without explicit approval and funding from Congress.
“The President cannot undertake any construction at the White House, much less demolish one of its wings without clear authorization from Congress, as well as an appropriation of funds to do so,” lawyers for the Democrats wrote.
The coalition includes California Representatives Robert Garcia and Jared Huffman, along with Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.
Lawmakers involved in the White House East Wing litigation argue that the Constitution gives Congress exclusive authority over federal property, including the White House grounds. They say Congress has neither approved the estimated $400 million project nor authorized funding for the proposed White House ballroom and East Wing redevelopment.
The Trump administration has defended the project by pointing to a federal statute that allows routine maintenance and repairs at the executive mansion. Officials claim the law provides legal authority for the privately funded construction initiative.
Democrats, however, argue that Congress only allocated about $2.5 million for White House maintenance and repairs — far below the funding needed for a major demolition and ballroom construction project tied to the White House East Wing litigation.