Statement | Washington, DC | April 27, 2026

Statement in Response to DOJ Demand to Drop Ballroom Lawsuit

National Trust President and CEO Carol Quillen released the following statement in response to the request from the U.S. Department of Justice to dismiss our U.S. District Court lawsuit National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States v. National Park Service:

"We’re grateful to the Secret Service and DC law enforcement officers for keeping the President and all guests safe at this weekend’s White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. We are not planning to voluntarily dismiss our lawsuit, which endangers no one and which respectfully asks the Administration to follow the law. Ballroom construction is continuing unabated until June 5th at the earliest because the injunction is on hold. We have always acknowledged the utility of a larger meeting space at the White House. Building it lawfully requires the approval of Congress, which the Administration could seek at any time."

- Carol Quillen, President and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

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About the National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a privately-funded nonprofit organization dedicated to helping communities maintain and enhance the power of historic places. Chartered by Congress in 1949 and supported by partners, friends, and champions nationwide, we help preserve the places and stories that make communities unique. Through the stewardship and revitalization of historic sites, we help communities foster economic growth, create healthier environments, and build a stronger, shared sense of civic duty and belonging.
SavingPlaces.org

This May, celebrate the historic sites, neighborhoods, and landmarks that tell the full American story—places that remind us of how far we've come and how far we still have to go.

Celebrate!