WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom won final planning approval on Thursday (Apr 2), but construction remains in limbo following a court order that he needs congressional approval.
The National Capital Planning Commission, which has several Trump appointees on its board, greenlit the plans in an 8-1 vote.
The project aims to construct a massive ballroom on the site of the White House’s East Wing – previously best known for housing the First Lady’s offices. It was demolished in September.
Trump expressed his thanks in a post on his Truth social media platform, saying, “when completed, it will be the greatest and most beautiful ballroom of its kind anywhere in the world.”
Planning approval does not, however, mean construction can go ahead unchecked.
On Tuesday, a federal judge ordered a halt to construction, saying Trump needed congressional approval.
The president is “steward” of the White House, Judge Richard Leon wrote. “He is not, however, the owner!”
Will Scharf, the commission’s chairman and a political ally of Trump, addressed the lawsuit before the vote, saying: “That order really does not impact our action here today.
“From my perspective, we have a project before us. We’ve been asked to review it, and that’s really our job here today.”
He noted that Judge Leon had placed a two-week delay on his stop-work order to allow the Trump administration to appeal.
The ballroom has become a passion project for Trump during his second term: The president often discusses the plan in public appearances, press conferences and meetings.
Trump has repeatedly said that a large ballroom is needed to host, among other key events, state dinners for visiting dignitaries.
“For more than 150 years, every president has dreamt about having a ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, state visits, and even, in the modern day, inaugurations,” Trump wrote on Truth.
“I am honored to be the first president to finally get this much-needed project, which is on time and under budget, underway.”
He has promised to meet the costs – estimated to be upwards of US$400 million — with private donations, not tax payer money.