A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has issued an order temporarily blocking the further demolition of the East Wing of the White House.
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“I have concluded that the National Trust is likely to succeed on the merits because no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have,” U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon, an appointee of President George W. Bush, wrote.
The order goes into effect in 14 days to allow time for appeal.
Leon wrote that the president of the United States is the “steward of the White House for future generations of First Families.”
“He is not, however, the owner!”
Leon wrote that “unless and until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorization, construction has to stop!”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
