A federal judge ruled on August 18, 2026, that the Trump administration can proceed with limited paint testing on the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, a historic structure built in the late 1800s adjacent to the White House. U.S. District Judge Dabney L. Friedrich denied a request from the preservation group Cultural Heritage Partners for an emergency order to block the testing related to President Donald Trump's plan to repaint the building's interior. The group had filed a lawsuit in November 2025, arguing that the proposed paint could damage the building's granite façade.
Judge Friedrich stated that the plaintiffs did not demonstrate that the limited tests would cause irreparable harm. The tests will cover approximately 8 square feet of the building's exterior, with additional work on panels not visible to the public. The judge indicated that the court could intervene if the administration exceeded the scope of the testing and required regular status updates.
The preservation groups are concerned about the broader implications of the project, particularly regarding the authority of the General Services Administration to transfer control over the project to the Executive Office of the President. Gregory Werkheiser, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, noted that the ruling did not address the underlying issues of authority and potential consequences for historic properties nationwide. The overall cost of the proposed work is estimated at no less than $7.5 million.
In a separate matter, the Trump administration is seeking Supreme Court permission to continue work on a planned $400 million White House ballroom, which has faced legal challenges regarding the president's authority to carry out such renovations.