Court allows paint tests on Eisenhower Building, advancing Trump's renovation plan

A federal district judge on Tuesday cleared the way for paint tests on the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, a 19th-century landmark adjacent to the White House. The ruling allows the Trump administration to proceed with preparatory work for a proposed repainting of the granite structure, a project estimated to cost at least $7.5 million.

Judge Dabney L. Friedrich denied a request from preservation groups for a temporary restraining order and injunction to halt the tests. The plaintiffs argued that painting the granite would trap moisture and degrade the stone, but the judge said they failed to demonstrate that the limited testing would cause irreparable harm.

The approved tests cover about 8 square feet of the building's exterior and several panels not visible to the public. Judge Friedrich emphasized that she would intervene if the administration moved beyond these minimal steps, and she ordered regular status reports, with the first due next Tuesday.

Gregory Werkheiser, an attorney for the plaintiffs, expressed disappointment but noted that the core of the lawsuit remains unaffected. The case challenges whether the General Services Administration can delegate its authority over such projects to the Executive Office. Werkheiser warned that if the court ultimately sides with the administration, it could set a dangerous precedent for historic properties nationwide.