WASHINGTON – The proposed ballroom addition to President Donald Trump’s White House is on the verge of receiving approval from the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC). This decision comes just days after a federal judge ruled to halt construction until Congress grants permission for what would be the most significant alteration to the historic landmark in over 70 years.
The NCPC, which oversees construction on federal lands in the Washington area, is moving forward with a vote despite the recent legal ruling. According to NCPC spokesperson Stephen Staudigl, the judge’s order impacts construction activities but does not hinder the planning process itself.
However, the judge’s decision may pose challenges for this ambitious project, which Trump is eager to finish before he leaves office in early 2029. This ballroom is part of a series of modifications the Republican president is implementing in the nation’s capital to establish a lasting legacy.
The NCPC’s vote, originally slated for March, was rescheduled to Thursday due to a high volume of public comments, with the majority expressing opposition to the ballroom project.
Trump Tweaks the Ballroom Design
Before the vote, the commission will also review design modifications to the proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom that Trump announced during a flight on Air Force One from Florida. Notably, he has removed a large staircase on the south side of the building and introduced an uncovered porch on the west side. Critics, including architects, had criticized the original staircase design as excessive and impractical, given that there was no functional entry to the ballroom from the top.
While Trump has not publicly explained the rationale behind these changes, a White House official noted that the president has taken into account feedback from both the NCPC and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, which had previously approved the project. Additional enhancements to the building’s exterior are expected to be presented by lead architect Shalom Baranes during the meeting.
The estimated cost of the ballroom has surged to $400 million, a significant increase since Trump first proposed the project last summer. The president justified the need for this expansion, citing the inadequacy of a tent on the lawn for hosting important guests. Following the demolition of the East Wing in October, preparations and underground work have commenced, with above-ground construction slated to begin in April at the earliest.
Legal Challenges and Congressional Oversight
The NCPC is chaired by Will Scharf, a senior White House aide who has publicly supported the ballroom addition. Trump appointed three members of the commission, including two other White House officials. The project faced legal scrutiny from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which filed a lawsuit after the demolition of the East Wing, arguing that the ballroom addition, nearly twice the size of the mansion itself, requires Congressional approval.
Judge Richard Leon, who issued the ruling, emphasized that the president is merely a steward of the White House for future generations, not its owner. He stated that the National Trust is likely to succeed in its claims, as no law grants the president the authority to unilaterally make such significant changes to the property.
In response, Trump contested the need for Congressional approval, claiming, “We built many things at the White House over the years. They don’t get congressional approval,” during a press conference in the Oval Office following the ruling.
As of now, representatives from the House and Senate committees responsible for overseeing the project have not responded to inquiries, as Congress is currently on a spring break.
