• A federal judge halts above-ground construction of Trump's White House ballroom.
• Only underground work for a bunker and security facilities is allowed to proceed.
• Trump criticized the ruling, calling the judge "Trump Hating" and questioning national security implications.
• The National Trust for Historic Preservation has successfully challenged the project.
• The case raises issues of congressional approval and lawful activity on federal property.

A federal judge has ruled to stop above-ground construction of President Donald Trump's proposed White House ballroom, allowing only underground work on security facilities. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon stated that the project cannot proceed without congressional approval, marking a significant legal hurdle for the Trump administration, which aims to construct a 90,000-square-foot space where the old East Wing once stood, according to CBS News.

This ruling follows objections from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which has argued that the project was initiated without proper authorization. According to the judge's prior ruling from late March, any construction required for the safety and security of the White House is exempt from the injunction, however, he strongly emphasized that "national security is not a blank check to proceed with otherwise unlawful activity," according to BBC and Reuters.

Judge Leon clarified that while above-ground construction must cease, below-ground preparations for security measures—including a military bunker—can move forward, which the administration claims are critical to protecting the site against various threats. Notably, Trump's administration has described the project as essential for national security, featuring enhancements against drones and other potential attacks, according to India Times and Los Angeles Times.

The Trump administration has announced plans to appeal Leon's decision, expressing frustration at what they termed judicial overreach. Trump himself took to social media, criticizing Leon's judicial approach and labeling him as a politically motivated judge, aiming to halt what he considers a vital national security project, according to India Times and Los Angeles Times.

As it stands, the legal battles surrounding the White House ballroom construction are ongoing, with implications for future projects on federal property and the authority of the executive branch in making unilateral spending decisions without congressional oversight, further complicating the political landscape, according to CBS News and Reuters.