(AFP) – A US federal judge on Thursday extended an order barring construction of President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom but gave the green light for work to proceed on a proposed underground bunker. Trump reacted furiously to the ruling, taking to his Truth Social platform to brand District Judge Richard Leon “highly political” and “out of control.”
“This is a mockery to our Court System!” Trump said. “The Ballroom is deeply important to our National Security, and no Judge can be allowed to stop this Historic and Militarily Imperative Project.” Leon ordered a halt last month to Trump’s $400 million ballroom, ruling that congressional approval is needed for the project, which has already seen the historic East Wing of the White House abruptly torn down.
In an amended order on Thursday, Leon extended his ban on any above-ground construction of the proposed ballroom on the former site of the East Wing, which previously housed the offices of the First Lady. But he said building of a proposed underground national security facility can go ahead. “Below-ground construction may proceed, including the construction of any ‘top-secret excavations, bunkers, bomb shelters, protective partitioning, military installations, and hospital and medical facilities,'” the judge said.
Work can continue on the underground bunker provided it does “not lock in the above-ground size and scale of the ballroom,” he said. “National security is not a blank check to proceed with otherwise unlawful activity,” he said. The judge, who was appointed by Republican president George W. Bush, stayed his order for one week to allow the administration to appeal.
In his initial ruling halting the ballroom project, Leon said the president is a “steward” of the White House. “He is not, however, the owner!” he said. The ballroom has become a passion project for Trump during his second term and he has addressed it in public appearances, press conferences, and meetings.
Trump has argued that a large ballroom is needed to host, among other key events, state dinners for visiting dignitaries. In his Truth Social post on Thursday, he emphasized the security aspects of the project. Blocking construction of the ballroom “means that no future President, living in the White House without this Ballroom, can ever be Safe and Secure at Events, Future Inaugurations, or Global Summits,” Trump said.
Trump has promised to meet the costs of the ballroom — estimated to be upwards of $400 million — with private donations, not taxpayer money. The real estate mogul has also recently unveiled plans to build a huge arch in the nation’s capital to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence.
The building spree, accompanied by uprooting of the Rose Garden lawn and heavy gold decorations in the historic Oval Office, has sparked fierce reactions from Trump critics who say the 79-year-old is imposing gaudy personal tastes on national treasures.
© 2024 AFP
