Trump is challenging a recent court ruling regarding the proposed White House ballroom project
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US President Donald Trump criticized the decision of a federal judge on Thursday that continues to block the construction of more than $ 400 million US White House football stadium, allowing only underground work and other “national security facilities” on the site.
The latest decision by US District Judge Richard Leon follows an appeals court order to clarify an earlier ruling regarding an 8,400-square-foot recreation room planned for the site, which demolished the East Wing of the White House.
Trump on social media called Leon, who was appointed to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush, a “Trump Hating” judge who “went out of his way to undermine national security, and to ensure that this Great American Gift is delayed, or never built.”
The administration has filed notice that it will ask the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review Leon’s latest decision, as well.
National Trust for Historic Preservation president and CEO Carol Quillen, whose group sued to oppose the project, said in a statement that the group welcomes the court’s decision.
Demolition has begun on the historic east wing of the White House to make way for US President Donald Trump’s $250 million ballpark.
Leon said the underground work in terms of safety measures is exempt from his order to stop the construction of the ground. Government lawyers have argued that the project includes important security features to avoid a range of potential threats, such as drones, ballistic missiles and biohazards.
Leon’s latest decision comes days after a three-judge panel of the D.C. appeals court ordered him to take a closer look at the potential national security implications of the construction freeze.
In his previous order, Leon prohibited further work on the football field from proceeding without congressional approval. The judge also ruled on March 31 that any construction work necessary to ensure the safety and security of the White House is exempt from the scope of the order. Leon said he reviewed materials the government sent him privately before concluding that halting construction would not jeopardize national security.
Leon had postponed his March 31 order for two weeks. He put his latest decision on hold for another week, giving the administration more time to seek a Supreme Court review.
Leon said he is ordering only the construction of the top of the planned soccer field to be stopped, without any work needed to cover or protect that part of the project. Otherwise, the Trump administration is free to continue the construction of any excavations, residential areas, military installations, and medical facilities under the ballroom.
“Defendants argue that all construction work on the ballroom, from top to bottom, falls within the scope of safety and security and therefore may proceed without interference,” the judge wrote. “That is not a reasonable or correct reading of my Order!”
On Saturday, an appeals court panel said it did not have enough information to determine how much of the project could be stopped without jeopardizing the safety of the president, his family or White House staff.
Leon said he recognizes the security implications of the case, but stressed that “national security is not a blank check to continue doing illegal work.” He also said that he “has no desire or intention to be drawn to the position of construction manager.”
On April 2, two days after Leon’s previous decision, Trump’s football stadium received final approval from the 12-member Capital Planning Commission, which is charged with approving the construction of federal buildings in Washington state.
The defense group filed the lawsuit in December, a week after the White House finished demolishing the East Wing to make way for a ballroom that Trump said would seat 999 people. Trump says the project is being funded by private donations, although public money is paying for the construction of the basement and security upgrades.
