On Friday, August 7th, 2026, the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit ordered the Trump administration to halt construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House. The court ruled in a 2-1 decision siding with historic preservationists who sued to stop the project, which has begun rising aboveground on the east side of the White House where the historic East Wing once stood before its demolition last fall.

The appeals court agreed with a lower court that such a significant overhaul of the White House requires explicit congressional consent. The court wrote, “Whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for Executive self-help.” It emphasized that the ruling does not address the desirability of the ballroom as a policy matter but restricts the administration from proceeding without Congress’s authorization during ongoing litigation.

The court also stated it would stay its ruling for two weeks to allow the administration time to appeal to the US Supreme Court. US President Donald Trump condemned the ruling as "horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful" and vowed to appeal. While several of Trump's other construction projects, including a proposed 76-metre-tall triumphal arch, have faced legal challenges, this ballroom project is the first to reach the Supreme Court.

Sources

Euronews