Trump attacks federal judge as 'Trump Hating' after ballroom construction ruling

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon issued a ruling clarifying that President Trump's $400 million White House ballroom construction must halt above-ground work pending congressional authorization, while allowing only underground national security facilities to proceed. The judge criticized the administration's interpretation of his earlier order as 'incredible, if not disingenuous' and warned that security concerns are not a 'blank check to proceed with otherwise unlawful activity.' Trump responded on social media by attacking Judge Leon—a George W. Bush appointee—calling him a 'Trump Hating' and 'highly political' judge who 'has gone out of his way to undermine National Security.' This attack follows Trump's established pattern of delegitimizing judicial oversight across multiple cases when rulings go against him. The ruling came after an appeals court instructed Leon to clarify his previous decision halting the controversial project.

"Trump Hating judge who has gone out of his way to undermine National Security" — Trump's Truth Social post attacking Judge Richard Leon after the ballroom construction ruling