BREAKING: Federal Judge LIMITS Construction on President Trump’s Privately-Funded White House Ballroom

A federal judge on Thursday limited the construction on President Trump’s privately-funded White House ballroom.

A federal appeals court on Saturday in a 2-1 ruling said President Trump can continue the construction on the White House ballroom… for now.

The appeals court judges sent the case back down to the US District Court judge who previously halted the construction on the ballroom.

The White House argued that the construction on the ballroom must continue for national security and safety reasons.

The construction can continue until at least April 17, the appeals court judges ruled.

Late last month, a federal judge ordered the privately funded Trump White House ballroom construction project to be halted.

US District Judge Richard Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, temporarily halted construction on the ballroom.

The judge said Congress has to approve the construction project.

On Thursday, after the appeals court sent the case back down to the lower court, Judge Leon limited construction on the White House Ballroom.

The judge said the construction may only proceed on the underground bunker but not the 90,000 square-foot ballroom.

“For the reasons that follow, I will further clarify and amend my Order to stop only above-ground construction of the planned ballroom. My Amended Order does not, however, stop below-ground construction of national security facilities, work necessary to provide for presidential security, and construction necessary to protect and secure the White House and the construction site itself,” Judge Leon wrote in a 10-page opinion.

Judge Leon hit back at Trump and denied that he is playing the role of a ‘construction manager.’

“I will close by noting that I have no desire or intention to be dragooned into the role of construction manager. Contrary to Defendants’ suggestion, I have never required Defendants to “request and receive written approval” before proceeding with construction,” the judge wrote.

Judge Leon paused his order for seven days to give President Trump time to respond.

Last summer, the Trump Administration announced a White House Ballroom construction project.

“For 150 years, Presidents, Administrations, and White House Staff have longed for a large event space on the White House complex that can hold substantially more guests than currently allowed. President Donald J. Trump has expressed his commitment to solving this problem on behalf of future Administrations and the American people,” the Trump White House said.

“The White House is one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in the world, yet the White House is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders and other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building entrance. The White House State Ballroom will be a much-needed and exquisite addition of approximately 90,000 total square feet of ornately designed and carefully crafted space, with a seated capacity of 650 people — a significant increase from the 200-person seated capacity in the East Room of the White House,” they said.

President Trump blasted Judge Leon last month.

“In the Ballroom case, the Judge said we have to get Congressional approval. He is WRONG! Congressional approval has never been given on anything, in these circumstances, big or small, having to do with construction at the White House. In this case, even less so, because the Ballroom is being built with Private Donations, no Federal Taxpayer Money!” Trump said in a Truth Social post.

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