Washington — On Friday, August 7th, 2026, a federal appeals court ruled that the Trump White House lacks the authority to unilaterally demolish the East Wing and construct a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the site. The $400 million project, the court found, requires explicit 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 the President to proceed with the ballroom construction. They stated, "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 responded swiftly, announcing plans to appeal the ruling directly to the Supreme Court, which will now face a contentious decision over the legality of the ballroom's construction.

The administration argued that halting the project "severely jeopardizes the lives and welfare of the people who work, and will be working, at the White House," citing that stopping the ballroom's construction would also delay an underground bunker included in the project. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche further contended in court filings that the recent attempted attack at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in April highlighted the necessity of a secure ballroom on White House grounds.

Arden Farhi, managing editor for CBS News' Washington bureau, who has covered multiple presidential campaigns and administrations, reported on the ruling and its implications.

Sources