Group says it won't drop its White House ballroom lawsuit, despite DOJ pressure [View all]

Source: NBC News

April 27, 2026, 1:40 PM EDT / Updated April 27, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT


The National Trust for Historic Preservation said Monday that it will not drop its lawsuit to halt construction of President Donald Trump's White House ballroom, despite the Justice Department's request.

"We are not planning to voluntarily dismiss our lawsuit, which endangers no one and which respectfully asks the Administration to follow the law," said a statement from Carol Quillen, the head of the trust.

The trust's statement comes one day after the Justice Department wrote a letter urging the group to drop the suit, arguing that the "lawsuit puts the lives of the President, his family, and his staff at grave risk."

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, spoke about the ballroom project in her press briefing on Monday, making the case that it needs to be completed.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/national-trust-historic-preservation-white-house-ballroom-lawsuit-doj-rcna342338