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National Trust for Historic Preservation in the U.S. v. NPS

No. 26-5108 Circuit · Decided Decided
Court
D.C. Cir.
cadc
Decided
Apr 11, 2026
Filed
Apr 8, 2026
Filed (CL)
Apr 8, 2026
CL Status
terminated

Case Overview

The government appealed Judge Leon's order which halted the construction of the White House ballroom.


The Application

History

Judge Leon halted the ballroom construction project, finding the government failed to comply with NHPA consultation procedures before approval. The government appealed, contending either that the White House is exempt from NHPA consultation requirements or that adequate notice and opportunity for comment were provided.

The Conclusion

The CADC affirmed or reversed Judge Leon's preliminary injunction, determining whether federal agencies must comply with NHPA consultation procedures for executive branch property and whether the government satisfied those requirements.

Outcome History (2)

  1. Apr 11, 2026 Circuit
    Remanded Unresolved

    Cases remanded to the district court for further proceedings.

  2. Apr 11, 2026 Circuit
    Dismissed Neutral Final

    Motion for a stay dismissed as moot.

Federal Court TMR-8676d78f East Wing Demolition <br> Appeal of 1:25-cv-04316 May 18, 2026

Case Analysis

Issue

Whether the government's planned demolition of the White House East Wing to construct a ballroom violates the National Historic Preservation Act's consultation requirements and constitutes arbitrary and capricious agency action under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Rule

The National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to take into account the effect of their undertakings on historic properties and provide the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation a reasonable opportunity to comment. Agency action is arbitrary and capricious under the APA if it lacks a rational basis or fails to consider relevant factors.

Analysis

Judge Leon halted the ballroom construction project, finding the government failed to comply with NHPA consultation procedures before approval. The government appealed, contending either that the White House is exempt from NHPA consultation requirements or that adequate notice and opportunity for comment were provided.

Conclusion

The CADC affirmed or reversed Judge Leon's preliminary injunction, determining whether federal agencies must comply with NHPA consultation procedures for executive branch property and whether the government satisfied those requirements.

Overview

The government appealed Judge Leon's order which halted the construction of the White House ballroom.

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