BREAKING NEWS: Federal judge halts construction of Trump's ridiculous ballroom
'The White House does not belong to the president'
A day after Trump was bragging to reporters about his grandiose plans for a new $400 million ballroom, a federal judge has pulled the red carpet out from under him.
The Trump administration has been ordered to suspend construction of the ballroom, for which Trump ordered the demolition of the entire East Wing of the White House. Construction may not proceed without congressional approval.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in Washington granted a preliminary injunction sought by an historic preservationist group noting that the National Trust for Historic Preservation is likely to succeed on the merits of its claims because “no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have.”
Leon, who was nominated to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush, said further:
“The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner!”
From the Associated Press:
The ruling was the first major rebuke of Trump’s sweeping efforts to overhaul the White House, but it wasn’t immediately clear what it would mean for a sprawling project in which crews have long since torn down the East Wing, radically transforming the look and feel of the historic grounds.
The Trump administration filed a notice of appeal shortly after Leon’s decision.
The judge’s decision came two days before the National Capital Planning Commission, the agency that signs off on construction on federal property in the Washington region, is expected to approve the addition.
Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which filed the lawsuit, that prompted Leon’s ruling, said, “We are pleased with Judge Leon’s ruling today to order a halt to any further ballroom construction until the Administration complies with the law and obtains express authorization to go forward.”
The judge suspended enforcement of his order for 14 days, acknowledging that the case “raises novel and weighty issues, that halting an ongoing construction project may raise logistical issues.” He also recognized that the administration is likely to appeal his decision.
J.C. Bruce is the founder of Tropic Press, a Florida online news service dedicated to sharing news and commentary relevant to Florida readers, whether it originates in the Sunshine State or elsewhere. Bruce is an award-winning former newspaper editor, journalist and author living in Florida, his native state.
Onward thru the fog
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed if you are a rational person living in the Free State of Florida, but there are plenty of smart, reasonable people just like you here. The purpose of this newsletter and the Tropic Press website is to provide a source of news and commentary that shines a light through this irrational fog.
Thank you for your support as a subscriber. It is invaluable. This is especially so for those of you who have chosen to upgrade to paid subscriptions. Your contributions are making this possible.
J.C. Bruce
Please support this work
As this newsletter was written, Tropic Press was reaching more than 700,000 subscribers in Florida and elsewhere. With mid-term elections on the horizon, the more people we reach, the more effective we can be in helping turn this country around. You can play a vital role in that effort by sharing this newsletter with friends. If you are reading this as an email, simply forward it. Or you can use the link below. Thanks.
Thanks to today’s Sponsor: Tropic Press Books
A little late, no?
Given the East Wing is gone and a Republican controlled Congress currently exists, Mr. Trump in all probability will get his "monument" to himself constructed. The current Congress doesn't have the spine to stand up to him; they just pontificate and wring their collective hands and then go back to insider trading.