On Saturday, August 8th, 2026, a US federal appeals court sided with historic preservationists by upholding a preliminary injunction that halts construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House. The National Trust for Historic Preservation had sued after the Trump administration demolished the historic East Wing and began building the 90,000-square-foot ballroom without congressional authorization.

Former President Donald Trump responded on Truth Social, calling the ruling a “National Security Threat at the highest level.” He stated, “We are not tenants, who pay rent and do all other things that a tenant must do, we are PRESIDENTS, elected by the people of the United States of America, and have many rights, including the right to fix, renovate, secure, protect, and beautify the White House grounds.” Trump emphasized that much of the work had already been completed and paid for.

District court judge Richard Leon had previously noted in a March opinion that while incomplete construction poses safety and security concerns for the White House and the President, the “existence of a ‘large hole’ beside the White House is, of course, a problem of the President’s own making.”

In related comments, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport highlighted the state’s duty to uphold civil rights and humane treatment for detained individuals, including those held by private corporations. Additionally, Oregon’s Democratic Governor Tina Kotek expressed support for locally set moratoriums on new data center construction, following the city of Hillsboro’s recent temporary prohibition.

The appeals court’s decision places a two-week hold on the controversial ballroom project, which Trump has repeatedly described as “a gift” to the American people.

Sources