The Trump administration on Friday offered to give a personal tour to Judge Richard J. Leon, the man overseeing the court case challenging President Trump’s plans to build a ballroom in place of the now-demolished White House East Wing.
Justice Department lawyers made the offer to the jurist in a court filing Friday, saying it might “assist the court’s review” of the matter.
“Although an inspection would not shed light on the legal issues associated with the Trust’s likelihood of success on the merits — and the court can deny the renewed motion on that basis alone — the alleged aesthetic injury and equitable considerations may be illuminated by viewing the site, its location and ongoing construction activities,” Eitan Sirkovich, a government lawyer, said in the filing.
Mr. Trump had the East Wing demolished last year, moving before he could be stopped by any litigation. The site has since seen work on the foundation.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to try to slow the construction, saying Mr. Trump is acting without getting the proper approvals to carry out work on the famous location.
Judge Leon has refused to halt the work, though he has said that’s because the work since the demolition has been for security reasons or has been confined to below-grade.
Government lawyers said judges in the region have found site visits to be valuable.
Initially, the trust had challenged the White House’s actions under procedural law, saying the president acted without going through the normal regulatory process.
Judge Leon last month ruled the Administrative Procedure Act didn’t apply to the White House.
He said the trust could refile its complaint arguing a different violation of law.
The trust has complied with that suggestion.
The government says above-ground work will start in “weeks” and called the trust’s updated lawsuit a “Hail Mary” attempt to derail Mr. Trump’s plans.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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