US appeals court halts construction of Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom project

A federal appeals court has temporarily halted the construction of a $400 million ballroom project at the White House, ordering the Trump administration to pause work until Congress provides authorization. The decision, issued by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, ruled that President Donald Trump lacked the legal authority to unilaterally proceed with the project. The ruling came on Friday, following a lawsuit filed by historic preservationists who argued the plan violated constitutional requirements. The court’s decision was based on an April 16 order from U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, who had previously mandated that the administration halt above-ground construction of the ballroom. However, Leon allowed work to continue on underground components, including a bunker and other national security facilities. The appeals court affirmed this directive, emphasizing that the project required legislative approval rather than executive action. In a 2-1 ruling, the judges stated that the issue of whether the ballroom should be built was a matter for Congress, not the executive branch. President Trump responded to the decision with a lengthy post on social media, expressing frustration over what he called an “unjust decision.” He cited a dissenting opinion written by Judge Neomi Rao, whom he had nominated to the court. Trump claimed the project included essential security measures, such as bomb shelters, a hospital, and top-secret military facilities. He argued that the ruling posed a threat to national security, asserting that the complex was designed to protect future presidents and the country. The case was heard by a panel consisting of Judges Rao, Patricia Millett, and Bradley Garcia. Millett, appointed by former President Barack Obama, and Garcia, nominated by current President Joe Biden, both supported the majority decision. Rao, however, dissented, aligning with Trump’s position. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which led the legal challenge, had filed its lawsuit in December 2025, shortly after the White House completed the demolition of the East Wing to make way for the new ballroom. The project, which would accommodate up to 999 guests, represents the largest structural modification to the White House in over seven decades. Government attorneys defended the project, highlighting its purported necessity for modernizing the White House’s security infrastructure. They noted that the renovations were intended to address evolving threats, including drone attacks, ballistic missile strikes, and biological hazards. According to the government, these upgrades were crucial for safeguarding the president, their family, and the White House itself. The White House began demolishing parts of the East Wing earlier this year to clear space for the new ballroom. The project has drawn criticism from historians and preservation advocates, who argue that the destruction of historical structures undermines the architectural legacy of the nation’s capital. Meanwhile, supporters of the project contend that the changes are necessary to meet contemporary security standards. As the administration prepares to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, the legal battle continues to unfold. The court’s temporary stay allows the administration time to seek higher judicial review, potentially delaying the completion of the project indefinitely. With the fate of the ballroom hanging in the balance, the outcome will likely depend on how the Supreme Court interprets the scope of presidential authority versus congressional oversight. For now, the White House remains under construction, though the future of the project remains uncertain.