A U.S. federal appeals court dealt a significant blow to the Trump administration on Friday, upholding a preliminary injunction that mandates an immediate halt to above-ground construction on a controversial $400 million ballroom at the White House. In a 2-1 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that President Donald Trump lacks the authority to fundamentally reshape the historic presidential complex without explicit congressional authorization. The majority opinion emphasized that the president is a “temporary tenant” of the White House and noted, “Whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for Executive self-help”.
President Trump swiftly condemned the ruling on Truth Social, labeling the decision “horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful”. Defending the 90,000-square-foot project, the administration has consistently argued that the structure—which replaced the demolished East Wing—is a national security necessity designed to house advanced defense features, including underground bunkers and missile shielding. Trump asserted that the court’s interference leaves the White House and its visitors vulnerable to attack, vowing to immediately escalate the dispute to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The appeals court has granted a 14-day stay of its order, providing the administration a narrow window to seek emergency relief from the high court. The underlying legal battle, initiated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, continues to test the constitutional boundaries of presidential executive power regarding the management of federal property.
