President Donald Trump has been sued by preservationists seeking to halt his White House ballroom project until it undergoes independent reviews and receives congressional approval.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court, arguing that the project, which involved demolishing the East Wing, violates federal laws and exceeds the president’s constitutional authority. The group is demanding comprehensive design reviews, environmental assessments, public input, and debate and ratification by Congress before construction continues.

“No president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review, or build a ballroom on public property without public input,” the lawsuit said. The Trust added that work should stop until all required reviews and approvals are completed.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did not respond immediately to questions about the lawsuit or whether Trump plans to seek congressional approval. Trump has said the project is privately funded, including his own money, but federal rules still apply because the White House is government property.

Trump has argued that a new ballroom is necessary, as large events often require outdoor tents due to the limited capacity of existing rooms. The White House is expected to submit detailed plans for the ballroom to the National Capital Planning Commission before the end of the year, three months after construction began.

Will Scharf, chairman of the commission, said the panel will review the plans at a “normal and deliberative pace” once submitted, marking the start of the official review process.