Posted on 01/25/2026 6:34:48 AM PST by lowbridge
As President Donald Trump aims to build a ballroom at the White House, federal Judge Richard Leon on Thursday reportedly asked Justice Department lawyers to point to what authority allows the president to engage in a construction project at the White House.
"Where do you see the authority for the president to tear down the East Wing and build something in its place?" the judge asked, according to The Washington Post.
While the outlet reported that Leon said he could issue a decision next month, NBC News reported that the judge promised that he would issue a decision in February.
Attorney Thad Heuer, who represents the National Trust for Historic Preservation, contended that the president lacks the constitutional power to rip down the East Wing and build a ballroom, according to NBC News, which quoted Heuer as saying, "He's not the owner."
The outlet reported that the judge seemed to be leaning in the direction of pausing the project.
-snip
"The president didn’t want $400 million in taxpayer money to be used for this," Justice Department attorney Yaakov Roth said, according to NBC News.
"He wanted to use donations," Roth noted.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Interesting that this is being questioned now that the project is well underway.
I’m sure its no coincidence.
ESAD Dick Leon.
No way…. A judge is obstructing Trumps plans?
I can’t even express my hatred of activist judges.
The idea that dignataries are entertained in a tent...is an abomination.
Don’t these judges have anything better to do?
Did this judge question Obama’s basketball court, too?
One thing I learned about developers is a saying that is beter to ask for forgiveness than permission.
A surprise, sort of...
Appointed by George W. Bush.
I’m getting tired of federal judges
I can’t even express my hatred of activist judges.
**************************
We didn’t elect them, yet they rule over us!
What authority allows the president to engage in a construction project at the White House.
The same as the presidents before him had to do WH projects.
The judge needs to be slamed for his stupidity and obstruction of the project.
Finally a “Dick” judge. Most have female names.
No way. Tents are fine. We are a humble people. A House has always been the embodiment of the US. The drift toward palaces and gold bling is not conservative way.
Not to mention a swimming pool and a bowling alley by other presidents.
What authority did Obama have for his changes??
That would be my answer: “The same authority Obama used to make changes.”
Judge says us judges are more powerful than the President now and he must stop everything he’s doing or else
For the record:
We elected the Presidents who proposed the judges and the Senate that confirmed them.
The question becomes, did the offensive judges break laws in the process of making rulings?
Presently the question becomes, are the judges guilty of the RICO conspiracy to obstruct federal law enforcement?
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