Public Citizen sues National Park Service to compel release of White House ballroom contract

After the National Park Service ignores its October 22 FOIA request past the 20-business-day deadline, Public Citizen files suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (Case No. 25-4468) to compel the government to produce the ballroom funding contract. Public Citizen argues the Interior Department and National Park Service violated the Freedom of Information Act by failing to respond. The lawsuit ultimately forces disclosure of the 14-page "Philanthropic Support Agreement" in April 2026, revealing anonymous donor provisions, conflict-of-interest carve-outs for the White House, and the Trust for the National Mall's fee structure.