National Trust Rejects DOJ Demand to Drop White House Ballroom Lawsuit

The legal battle over President Donald Trump's proposed $400 million White House ballroom project continues as the plaintiff, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, rejected a Department of Justice (DOJ) demand to drop the case. The dispute highlights a clash between executive ambition and federal historic preservation laws. The DOJ's request came in the wake of a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, from which the President was evacuated. Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate argued that the ongoing litigation puts the President, his family, and his staff at "grave risk," describing the lawsuit as frivolous. Gregory Craig, counsel for the National Trust, dismissed these claims as "incorrect and irresponsible," asserting that the lawsuit does not jeopardize the President's safety. Craig further noted that the administration remains free to seek the necessary Congressional authorization required by federal law and the Constitution to proceed with the project. The dispute centers on a ruling by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, who previously blocked construction on the grounds that the project lacked Congressional approval. Judge Leon stated that national security does not provide a "blank check" for unlawful activity. While the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has since lifted that injunction, the court is currently expediting its review of the DOJ's challenge. The outcome will determine if the $400 million project can proceed without explicit legislative consent.