- The U.S. appeals court has blocked construction of the ballroom project.
- The East Wing demolition was completed to make way for a ballroom that Trump says will hold 999 people.
- The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued in December 2025, a week after the East Wing demolition, to challenge the project.
A U.S. appeals court has ordered a halt to the Trump administration's $400 million ballroom project at the White House, citing a lack of congressional approval. The 2-1 decision supports the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sued after the East Wing demolition.
The court emphasized that 'whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for Executive self-help,' highlighting the constitutional requirement for congressional authorization.
The ruling stays for two weeks, allowing the administration time to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Previously, President Trump argued that congressional approval was unnecessary since the project was privately financed, stating, 'He’s saying I need congressional approval and he’s so wrong.'
Brent Leggs, president of the National Trust, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, affirming that 'only Congress can authorize the construction of a ballroom at the White House.' The court's decision upholds an earlier order from U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, who allowed below-ground work on national security facilities to continue while halting above-ground construction.
The National Trust filed the lawsuit in December 2025, shortly after the East Wing demolition, which was intended to make way for a ballroom that Trump claims will accommodate 999 people.
“The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed suit in December 2025, a week after the East Wing demolition, to challenge the project that Trump says will hold 999 people. The court's ruling halts the ballroom's construction, pending further legal review.”
theglobeandmail.com
