Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., discusses left-wing outrage over President Donald Trump’s new ballroom on ‘The Evening Edit.’
A judge on Thursday denied a legal challenge to President Donald Trump’s White House project, clearing the way for construction worth about $400 million to continue.
US District Judge, Richard Leon, denied the injunction sought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, saying the group was unlikely to succeed because of its merits. The group sued the Trump administration in December to halt construction, saying it skipped required reviews and failed to get congressional approval before demolishing the East Wing of the White House.
In his order, Leon wrote that the conservative group relied on a “ragtag group of ideas” under the Administrative Procedure Act and the Constitution.
He wrote that the challenge failed because “the White House office in question is not an agency” under the APA and because the plaintiff did not present what is necessary to challenge the president’s legal authority to complete the work with private funds and without congressional approval.
TRUMP’S TOP TRADE OFFICER AT SUPREME COURT, VOWS TO RETURN FEES WITHIN MONTHS.
President Donald Trump’s ballroom project, estimated at $400 million, has caused a major legal crisis after a federal court decision. (White House / Fox News)
Trump celebrated the decision of the Public Truth, saying that the ballroom will be funded entirely by private donors.
“Great news for America, and our wonderful White House! The judge in the case of what will be the most beautiful Ballroom in the world, has just thrown out, and completely dismissed, the attempt to stop its construction,” Trump said. “As everyone knows, not one dollar of Taxpayer money is spent, but instead, all the money needed to build this magnificent building is contributed by Patriot donors and Patrons.”
Trump said construction of the 90,000-square-foot ballpark — which he said could host inauguration ceremonies and state dinners — is “ahead of schedule and under budget.”
FEDEX SAYS IT WILL REFUND CUSTOMERS, SHIPPERS PAID ANY TARIFF AMOUNT.
A judge ruled on February 26 that the conservation group had failed to show that it was likely to succeed in challenging the White House ballroom project. (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
“It will stand long into the future as a symbol of the Greatness of America!” Trump added.
Leon left the door open for the preservation group to amend its complaint and seek reconsideration.
National Trust President and CEO Carol Quillen has vowed to continue the trial.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
A judge has thrown out an injunction that sought to stop demolition and construction connected to the White House ballroom project. (Photos by Heather Diehl / Getty Images)
“Although we are disappointed that the Court did not issue a preliminary injunction, we are happy that Judge Leon decided that the National Trust should stand up to try this case, as we have said from the beginning,” he said in a statement. “We are also pleased that you encouraged us to amend our complaint—in particular, to assert that the President acted beyond his authority—and we plan to do so immediately. The judge said he will issue a decision as soon as we do that, and we will wait for his decision.”
The decision came after the American Commission on Fine Arts approved the ballroom proposal last week, putting the project on the fast track before further review on March 5 by the National Capital Planning Commission.
