A judge’s order to stop construction work on the White House ballroom poses security risks, the Trump administration argued in an emergency motion that seeks to set aside the ruling. The emergency motion argues that US district judge Richard Leon’s decision has left the executive mansion “open and exposed” and is “threatening grave national-security harms to the White House, the President and his family, and the President’s staff”. Leon on Tuesday ruled that construction work on the White House ballroom must pause while a lawsuit works its way through the courts. Halting $400m White House ballroom project is national security risk, Trump officials say “Time is of the essence!” the administration’s lawyers wrote in the motion, citing materials that will be installed to make a “heavily fortified” facility. The ballroom construction also includes bomb shelters, military installations and a medical facility, according to the filing.

Source: The Guardian April 05, 2026 01:13 UTC