Story perspectives

DOJ Demands Trust Quit Ballroom Lawsuit, Congress Supports

4/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Justice Department sent a letter demanding the National Trust for Historic Preservation dismiss its lawsuit against the White House ballroom by 9 a.m. Monday, citing the April 25 shooting.
National Trust refused, saying congressional approval is required and construction may proceed only until June 5 while injunction stands.
Speaker Mike Johnson, Rep. Jim Jordan and Rep. Lauren Boebert, with Democratic Senator John Fetterman, backed the ballroom and pledged legislation to grant congressional approval.

History

Historical Context

The federal preservation system started with the 1906 Antiquities Act and the 1935 Historic Sites Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act signed October 15 1966 created Section 106 review and a 23-member advisory council. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, created by Truman in 1949, now confronts a 2024 congressional letter demanding it drop its White House lawsuit, reviving historic authority disputes.

1 of 2

Story summary

Justice Department sent a letter demanding the National Trust for Historic Preservation dismiss its lawsuit against the White House ballroom by 9 a.m. Monday, citing the April 25 shooting.
National Trust refused, saying congressional approval is required and construction may proceed only until June 5 while injunction stands.
Speaker Mike Johnson, Rep. Jim Jordan and Rep. Lauren Boebert, with Democratic Senator John Fetterman, backed the ballroom and pledged legislation to grant congressional approval.

1 / 2