Donald Trump lashed out at the federal judge overseeing one of his most ambitious White House projects after a new ruling threatened to derail its progress. The president took to social media to express his frustration over the latest legal setback involving the controversial construction effort.
Donald Trump angry as Judge halts ballroom construction
President Donald Trump attacked the federal judge who paused White House ballroom construction. Trump called U.S. District Judge Richard Leon “highly political” and a “Trump-hating” judge. He insisted the project holds national security significance for the country.
Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, ruled on Thursday to again block construction of the ballroom. The judge had initially blocked construction last month but allowed national security elements to continue. The White House interpreted that ruling as permission to build the entire ballroom (Politico).
Leon called the White House interpretation “brazen” and “disingenuous” in his new ruling Thursday. He clarified that his initial order stopped all above-ground components of the project. The judge permitted only underground components to advance based on the administration’s own representations.
Trump argued the ballroom includes “Bomb Shelters,” “a State of the Art Hospital and Medical Facilities,” and “Top Secret Military Installations.” He claimed future presidents will not “ever be Safe and Secure at Events, Future Inaugurations, or Global Summits” without it. Trump posted on social media that Leon “has gone out of his way to undermine National Security.”
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals largely upheld Leon’s ruling over the weekend. The appeals court gave the administration until Friday to seek relief from the Supreme Court. It remains unclear whether Trump will ask the justices to intervene in the matter.
The ballroom project remains a passion project for the president. Trump regularly updates reporters and White House attendees about its progress during official events. The renovation forms the centerpiece of his broader efforts to remake Washington.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Mandatory.com.
