US Appeals Court Halts Trump’s White House Ballroom Construction

A US appeals court has upheld an order stopping construction of President Donald Trump’s proposed ballroom at the White House, setting the stage for another legal battle that could reach the Supreme Court.

The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled 2-1 on Friday that the massive renovation of the White House requires explicit approval from Congress.

The court paused its ruling for two weeks to allow Trump time to ask the Supreme Court to intervene.

Trump reacted angrily to the decision, describing it as “horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful.”

The Republican president also vowed to immediately appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court.

Trump said the decision was a serious national security concern, arguing that the project had already progressed significantly and that substantial funds had been spent on it.

White House East Wing Demolished

The ballroom project began last year following the demolition of the historic East Wing of the White House.

Construction has since progressed on an underground complex, with concrete structures reportedly rising above ground level.

Trump has repeatedly argued that the ballroom is necessary because the White House does not have enough space to host large events, including state dinners and official receptions.

The president initially said the project would be privately financed. However, media reports later indicated that taxpayer money was also being used, while the estimated cost of the project continued to rise.

The White House initially put the cost at about $200 million before increasing the estimate to $400 million. Other reports have suggested that the final cost could reach as much as $600 million.

Court Says Congress Must Approve Project

The appeals court stressed that its decision did not determine whether the ballroom itself was desirable or whether it could eventually be built.

Instead, the judges said construction could not continue during the ongoing legal proceedings without congressional authorization, as required by the US Constitution and federal law.

Two judges in the majority were appointed by Democratic presidents, while the dissenting judge was appointed by Trump.

The ballroom project is part of a broader effort by Trump to reshape parts of Washington before his presidency ends in 2029. Other proposed projects have also faced legal challenges.

The ballroom case, however, is the first of these projects to advance toward a potential Supreme Court battle over the limits of presidential authority.

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