Judge won’t block Trump’s White House ballroom

A federal judge shot down an attempt to derail President Trump’s White House ballroom construction plans, saying Thursday that the group that challenged him bungled its lawsuit.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation had claimed the White House was violating the Administrative Procedure Act with the demolition of the old East Wing and the planning and construction of the new ballroom.

But Judge Richard Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, said the White House isn’t an agency and so its ballroom plans aren’t covered by the APA. He said the trust could have argued a different violation of law but has not yet done so.

“Unfortunately, because both sides initially focused on the president’s constitutional authority to destruct and construct the East Wing of the White House, plaintiff didn’t bring the necessary cause of action to test the statutory authority the president claims is the basis to do this construction project without the blessing of Congress and with private funds,” the judge ruled.

He said if the trust does alter its argument, he’ll expedite its consideration. He repeatedly said the case raises “novel and weighty issues.”

The decision means Mr. Trump can continue to pursue the ballroom project, though it still faces hurdles.

Mr. Trump had the East Wing of the White House complex, which housed the first lady’s offices and a theater, demolished in October.

Work is now underway to prepare the foundation. Above-grade construction won’t start until April, at the earliest.

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• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.