Federal judge says he’s inclined to deny preservationists’ request to halt Trump’s ballroom project

3 months ago 10

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge said Tuesday he’s leaning toward denying a preservationist group’s request to temporarily halt President Donald Trump ‘s White House ballroom project, saying the organization failed to show that “irreparable harm” would be caused if the project moves forward.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon said he could issue a final decision on the restraining order by Wednesday. But Leon said he plans to hold another hearing in January on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s request to pause the ballroom project until it goes through multiple independent reviews and wins approval from Congress.

In the meantime, Leon warned the administration to not make decisions on underground work, such as the routing of plumbing and gas lines, that would dictate the scope of future ballroom construction above ground. If that were to happen, Leon said, “the court will address it, I assure you of that.”

After the hearing Tuesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed in a statement on social media that her department had “defeated an attempt to stop President Trump’s totally lawful East Wing Modernization and State Ballroom Project.” She characterized the Trust’s lawsuit...

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