Judge again halts construction of Trump's White House ballroom but allows work on underground bunker to proceed

A federal judge issued a new order halting construction of President Donald Trump's much-touted new White House ballroom, finding the administration was using fancy footwork to try to sidestep his previous ruling.

A federal judge on Thursday issued a new order halting construction of President Donald Trump's much-touted new White House ballroom, finding the administration was using fancy footwork to try to sidestep his previous ruling.

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U.S. District Judge Richard Leon had previously issued an order halting the $400 million project until the White House got it approved by Congress, with an exception for "actions strictly necessary to ensure the safety and security of the White House and its grounds.” That specifically includes an underground bunker and security measures being put in place at the site under the former East Wing structure.

Trump argued that the exception also meant the whole 90,000-square-foot ballroom could be built, because the entire project is necessary for the safety and security of the White House. Leon disagreed.