“This is an iconic symbol of this nation.” The judge added that Trump was a “steward” of the White House, not its owner. “It does not benefit the [National] Trust, it does not benefit the public, to have this [White House] site dormant,” Roth said. Judge Leon has been sceptical of the Administration’s arguments in hearings, saying that past White House renovation projects are not comparable to Trump’s expansive ballroom. The White House subsequently submitted plans to the Commission of Fine Arts, a federal review panel that advises on major design projects. Judge Leon, an appointee of President George W. Bush, echoed that criticism in a January hearing and again on Tuesday.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 18, 2026 06:25 UTC