Federal judge temporarily blocks construction of new White House ballroom

(NBC, KYMA) - A federal judge is temporarily blocking construction from moving forward on the new White House ballroom.

Judge Richard R. Leon issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday, blocking the further demolition of the East Wing of the White House.

That's the spot where President Donald Trump plans to build the massive $400 million ballroom project.

The judge wrote, "Unless and until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorization, construction has to stop!"

He goes on to write, "Congress has to be involved, even if the ballroom is funded with outside contributions."

The order goes into effect in 14 days to allow time for the Trump Administration to appeal.

In a post on Truth Social, President Trump took aim at the National Trust for Historic Preservation for filing lawsuits against the ballroom and his renovation of the Kennedy Center, but he does not directly mention the judge's ruling.

Comcast Corp., the parent company of NBCUniversal, has donated to the ballroom project.