The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit on Dec. 12 aimed at blocking the construction of President Donald Trump 's new White House ballroom , alleging it is unlawful and asking the court to halt further construction until the plans go through a legally-mandated review process .

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, names Trump, the National Parks Service and several other administration officials involved in a fast-expanding project that already included the demolition of the East Wing and prompted the ire of preservationists and former first ladies including Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama.

"No president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review whatsoever—not President Trump, not

See Full Page