Trump Faces Lawsuit Over White House Ballroom Project
By BILL BARROW, Associated Press
A group of preservationists has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, seeking an architecture review and congressional approval for his controversial White House ballroom project.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is urging a federal court to halt Trump’s ballroom project until it undergoes thorough design reviews, public comments, and obtains Congress’ approval.
The National Trust alleges that Trump has violated the Administrative Procedures Act and the National Environmental Policy Act by rushing the project and bypassing necessary approvals from Congress.
Trump, known for sidestepping traditional building practices, previously demolished the East Wing of the White House without following historical review processes. He has now enlisted another architectural firm to construct a ballroom nearly double the size of the original White House.
Insisting that a ballroom is long overdue, Trump has criticized past events held outdoors under tents, where guests risked getting wet in the rain.
The White House is preparing to present plans for the new ballroom to a federal planning commission, just three months after construction commenced.
Will Scharf, chair of the National Capital Planning Commission and a key White House aide, announced that the plans would be submitted in December, initiating the review process.
Scharf assured that the review would proceed at a “normal and deliberative pace,” emphasizing the commission’s role in ensuring proper oversight.
