Washington — On Friday, August 7th, 2026, a federal appeals court ruled that the Trump White House lacks the authority to unilaterally construct a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom where the East Wing once stood. The $400 million project, the court found, requires congressional approval.

The judges emphasized that Congress holds "full constitutional control over federal property and the funding of its maintenance and development," noting an "absence of any express or implied authorization" for President Trump to proceed with the ballroom's construction. They added, "We are aware of no instance in American history in which a President unilaterally and using privately collected funds demolished substantial portions of the White House that Congress authorized to be built and American taxpayers paid for."

President Trump quickly responded, stating that his administration will appeal the ruling directly to the Supreme Court, setting up a legal confrontation over the controversial project.

The Trump administration has argued that halting work on the ballroom would "severely jeopardize the lives and welfare of the people who work, and will be working, at the White House," due to the impact on the construction of an underground bunker included in the project. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche also filed court documents urging the resumption of construction, citing a recent attempted attack at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in April as underscoring the need for a secure ballroom on White House grounds.

Arden Farhi, managing editor for CBS News' Washington bureau, has covered multiple presidential campaigns and administrations, providing context to this ongoing legal dispute.

Sources