A federal judge on Thursday ordered that the White House limit continued construction of a planned ballroom to "below-ground" portions amid an ongoing legal battle over the project.

"My Amended Order does not, however, stop below-ground construction of national security facilities, work necessary to provide for presidential security, and construction necessary to protect and secure the White House and the construction site itself," wrote U.S. District Judge Richard Leon.

"Second, the injunction excludes only below-ground construction," he added, highlighting that the administration had espoused security concerns about leaving that portion of the work unfinished.

Leon previously issued a stay on construction in response to a suit from the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States. The matter then went to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, which ordered Leon to clarify the scope of his injunction, The Hill reported.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.