A federal appeals court has commanded the Trump administration to halt work on a $400 million ballroom project at the White House. This legal decision represents a major hurdle for the $400 million plan and sets the stage for a potential battle before the Supreme Court.
In its ruling, the court panel stated that decisions regarding such significant construction projects belong to Congress rather than the Executive Branch. The court affirmed a previous injunction requested by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which initiated legal action after the administration demolished the East Wing without receiving legislative authorization.
The judiciary emphasized that the Executive Branch lacks the unilateral authority to fundamentally alter or reconstruct the White House to suit presidential preferences. While the administration had previously been permitted to continue underground site work, this latest ruling enforces a strict prohibition on any above-ground building activities.
The court has provided a 14-day window for the administration to seek an appeal through the Supreme Court. President Trump has maintained that the addition is essential for hosting official functions and state visits, while also citing national security interests, particularly following an assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner earlier in April.
