Demolition began this week at the White House's East Wing to begin building President Donald Trump’s ballroom, which he says will cost about $300 million. The Washington Examiner's Christian Datoc joins LiveNOW's Mike Pache to discuss.

President Donald Trump is facing legal action over the recent demolition of the White House’s East Wing.

The emergency motion was filed by Virginia couple Charles and Judith Voorhees in federal court on Thursday.

The couple is seeking to halt the project, alleging that it violates multiple federal preservation and planning laws.

The document alleges that the construction of the new ballroom is being conducted "without legally required approvals or reviews."

The defendants are listed as Trump, in his official capacity, and Jessica Brown, director of the National Park Service.

An excavator works to clear rubble after the East Wing of the White House was demolished on October 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Credit: Eric Lee/Getty Images)

The motion also says that the defendants are violating the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 by not identifying and evaluating the historic property, assessing the project’s effects on that property, and consulting with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and the D.C. State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to mitigate any adverse effects before the project proceeds.

The couple is seeking a temporary restraining order from further destroying any portion of the White House until demolition and construction plans can be reviewed and the public review process is completed.

The White House has been pushing back against criticism of the ballroom plan and elimination of the East Wing by noting the history of add-ons to the Executive Mansion during its more than 200-year existence.