Despite construction setback, Trump's ballroom design still expected to win approval

State of play: The National Capital Planning Commission, a federal panel chaired by a top White House official, is expected to give final approval to Trump's controversial massive ballroom addition, which would rise roughly the same height as the White House itself.

• The vote will go on because the judge's order "does not enjoin the planning process related to NCPC's meeting," commission spokesperson Stephen Staudigl told Axios.
• U.S. District Judge Richard Leon on Tuesday declared that Trump is not the "owner" of the White House.
• Construction of the 90,000-square-foot addition "must stop until Congress authorizes its completion," Judge Leon added.

Between the lines: It's notable that the NCPC is about to give its blessing.

• That Trump lacked the NCPC's approval before beginning construction was a central argument in the lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in December.

• The Trump administration ultimately filed plans with the NCPC in early January, after demolishing the East Wing in October. NCPC officials have previously said they don't have a say over demolitions.

What we're watching: How NCPC chairman Will Scharf — Trump's former personal lawyer — will address the elephant in the room before the vote.

What's ahead: Judge Leon believes the case will be settled by the U.S. Supreme Court, per the NY Times.