- A federal judge again rejected the administration's argument that White House ballroom construction was necessary for security, accusing them of creating a “safety hazard.”
- District Court Judge Richard Leon reiterated his order to halt above-ground construction of the White House ballroom, which he previously stated required Congressional approval.
- Leon permitted construction related to national security, such as below-ground facilities, and specific safety measures like waterproofing and structural reinforcement, to continue.
- The judge criticized government lawyers for being ”disingenuous” in arguing that the entire construction was imperative for the president's personal safety, contradicting earlier claims.
- This ruling follows an appeals court request for Judge Leon to reconsider national security implications after the administration challenged his initial order to pause construction.
IN FULL
