President Donald Trump received a bit of positive news about the $400 million White House ballroom construction project, which is now at a standstill.
The National Planning Commission voted on Thursday to approve Trump's project despite negative comments received from the public.
The planning commission is one of two federal panels, along with the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, that are tasked with overseeing DC-area building projects. The project already received approval from the Fine Arts Commission.
But the federal panel reviewing the plans had originally delayed a March vote in order to review public comments—which mainly expressed frustration over the expensive project and lack of accountability for the plans.
"The size and design of the proposed White House Ballroom are hideous," said one commenter.
"The desecration of the East wing was horrifying to witness," wrote Lynn. "It is a symbol of our country, its simplicity shows that we are not ruled by a king. We do not need a ballroom. And just for the record we do not need a Panera bread style concrete eating area either. It’s tacky."
"It is not 'modernizing,' it is a serious destruction of U.S. Govt. property and should be punished the same as if done by any other persons," said Louise, who described herself as an 81-year-old grandmother.
Despite the federal panel voting to approve the plans, construction on the ballroom cannot continue until Trump gets the OK from Congress.
The federal panel went ahead with the vote because, according to commission spokesperson Stephen Staudigl, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon's ruling affects construction, not the planning process.
Congress will weigh in
Leon ruled on March 31 that construction on the White House ballroom must cease and desist.
The federal judge granted the National Trust for Historic Preservation's request for a preliminary injunction, temporarily stopping the ballroom construction until Congress approves the completion of the project.
“The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families,” Leon wrote in his ruling. “He is not, however, the owner!
“Where does this leave us?" Leon wrote. "Unfortunately for Defendants, unless and until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorization, construction has to stop!”
Congress is currently on a two-week spring recess. It'll return to session on April 14.
Leon's ruling came about a month after the judge said the ballroom construction can continue after the National Trust for Historic Preservation (the plaintiff) filed a lawsuit.
At the time, Leon wrote in his ruling that the "plaintiff didn't bring the necessary cause of action to test the statutory authority the President claims is the basis to do this construction project without the blessing of Congress and with private funds."
The 90,000-square-foot project, which started in October 2025 during the government shutdown, has ballooned in cost since the president first spoke of his plans last year. The cost has gone from $200 million to $300 million, and now, to $400 million.
The White House said it is being funded by private donors, with the president emphasizing it's needed to host state dinners, and even future inaugurations, for a larger crowd. The former ballroom sat only about 200 people. The new ballroom is expected to hold nearly 1,000.
