WASHINGTON (7News) \u2014 A judge says he is inclined to reject an attempt to block the construction of the White House ballroom. An official order is expected in the next day.<\/p>\n
Judge Richard Leon made the ruling after an emergency hearing lasting about an hour on Tuesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is the organization suing the President to try to halt the construction of the White House ballroom.<\/p>\n
The group asked the judge to immediately halt the construction of the 90,000-square-foot ballroom, arguing The White House started construction without submitting its plans for the project to the two federal commissions that are required by federal statute and regulations, and without approval from Congress.<\/p>\n
Tad Heuer, the lawyer representing the preservationist group, insisted to the judge the below-ground construction slated to begin in January will cause permanent harm, and the court needed to step in because construction is ongoing and will add to this damage.<\/p>\n
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson, who represented The White House, countered these arguments by stating the plans for the ballroom are not finalized and, therefore, it cannot be known if there will be irreversible harm.<\/p>\n
He also argued the president is not subject to the same approval process as federal agencies.<\/p>\n
WJLA<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Judge Leon, ultimately, said lawyers for the preservationist group did not prove there would be irreparable harm.<\/p>\n
However, he also stated the courts could act if the below-ground construction beginning in January materially changes the above-ground construction set to begin in April, and The White House could be ordered to take down such alterations.<\/p>\n
SEE ALSO | DC Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie announces resignation <\/a><\/p>\n In new court papers, the Trump administration stressed that the plans for the ballroom are not final and claimed the project would cause no significant impact to the surrounding environment.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are very proud of it,\u201d President Donald Trump has said. \u201cIt has gotten great reviews. It\u2019s gotten really great reviews.\u201d<\/p>\n In court filings, the White House mentioned that beginning with President Dwight Eisenhower, presidents have been forced to host state dinners in temporary tents pitched on the White House grounds, and the ballroom will rectify that untenable situation.<\/p>\n