A US federal appeals court has halted the construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House, siding with historic preservationists who sued to stop the project. The National Trust for Historic Preservation won a preliminary injunction against the construction, which began after the Trump administration demolished the historic East Wing without congressional authorization.

Donald Trump responded on Truth Social, calling the court's decision 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.”

District court judge Richard Leon had previously expressed concerns in a March opinion about the incomplete construction work, noting the safety and security risks posed by the “large hole” beside the White House, which he described as “a problem of the President’s own making.”

The lawsuit was filed last year after the East Wing was torn down and construction began without proper authorization. The National Trust’s injunction was upheld by the appeals court, effectively stopping further work on the 90,000-square-foot (8,400-square-meter) ballroom.

Separately, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport emphasized the state's duty to uphold civil rights, particularly for detained individuals, including those held by private corporations like GEO Group, underscoring the right to humane treatment and adequate medical care.

Oregon’s Democratic Governor Tina Kotek expressed support for locally set moratoriums on new data center construction, following the city of Hillsboro's recent enactment of a temporary prohibition.

Sources