A US federal appeals court has ordered the Trump administration to halt construction of the $400 million White House ballroom, citing legal concerns over presidential authority. The decision, issued by a three-judge panel, upheld a lower court ruling that blocked the project without congressional approval. The ballroom, intended to be built in the White House’s East Wing, has been a point of contention since its announcement in 2018.
The court ruled that President Donald Trump does not have unilateral authority to construct the 90,000-square-foot space, which would require legislative approval. The ruling comes as the Trump administration seeks to move forward with the project, despite opposition from lawmakers and historical preservation groups. The National Trust for Historic Preservation had previously sued over the demolition of the East Wing, which was part of the broader controversy surrounding the ballroom.
The appeals court placed its ruling on hold for 14 days, allowing the Trump administration to appeal to the US Supreme Court. The case now faces a potential showdown at the nation’s highest court, where the legal battle over executive power and congressional oversight will continue. The project’s estimated cost of up to $600 million has raised further concerns about its feasibility and political implications.
