PALM BEACH, Florida: After weeks of legal challenges and political pushback, the White House is preparing to formally outline its plans for President Donald Trump's proposed East Wing ballroom early next year, according to a federal planning body overseeing the project.

The National Capital Planning Commission said the White House will give an "information presentation" on the proposed reconstruction of the East Wing at a commission meeting scheduled for January 8. The commission, which Congress chartered, reviews development on federal land in the Washington area.

The ballroom proposal, which Trump has said would cost US$400 million and be larger than the existing White House structure, has become a flashpoint. Preservation groups have taken the plan to court, while Democratic lawmakers argue it represents an abuse of presidential power and are probing which donors may be backing the project.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The commission is chaired by Will Scharf, a White House aide and former personal lawyer to Trump. To date, it has declined to review the demolition of the former East Wing, preparatory work at the site, or the project's potential effects on historic properties — a position that critics say clears the way for the most significant alteration to the White House complex in decades.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a nonprofit chartered by Congress, is suing to stop construction. It argues that the proposed 90,000-square-foot (8,360-square-metre) ballroom would overwhelm the rest of the White House, which covers about 55,000 square feet.

Earlier this month, a judge declined to issue a temporary restraining order halting work on the project. In the ruling, the judge cited the fact that the ballroom's size, scale, and other specifications have not yet been finalized. Another court hearing is scheduled for next month.

Trump, who built his career as a real estate developer, has taken a hands-on role in reshaping the White House and the surrounding capital as the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

Alongside the ballroom, the president has floated plans for a new grand arch near Washington and has overseen extensive redecorating of the Oval Office, including the use of gold leaf and the installation of plaques reflecting his views on previous presidents.

The former East Wing was largely demolished in October, a move that drew criticism for proceeding with little public notice or consultation.

In a notice posted online, the planning commission said a more formal review is expected in the spring. That process will examine issues such as sightlines, public space, and landscaping, and will allow members of the public to submit comments or testify during hearings.

For now, the January presentation is expected to provide the clearest picture yet of a project that has already sparked legal battles, political scrutiny, and debate over how far a sitting president can go in reshaping one of the nation's most historic buildings.