U.S. District Judge Richard Leon on Tuesday ordered the Trump administration to suspend construction on its $400 million White House ballroom project.
Leon, who was nominated to the bench by President George W. Bush, granted the National Trust for Historic Preservation's request for a preliminary injunction to temporarily pause the project until it undergoes further reviews and input from Congress.
In his opinion, he said the preservationist group is likely to succeed as "no statute comes close to giving the president the authority he claims to have."
"The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner!" the judge wrote.
The judge delayed enforcement of the order for 14 days because stopping an ongoing construction project could "raise logistical issues." He also acknowledged that the administration is likely to appeal his decision.