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

Former President 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.” Trump emphasized that much of the work had already been completed and paid for.

District court judge Richard Leon, in a March opinion, acknowledged concerns about the safety and security of the White House grounds due to incomplete construction, noting the existence of a “large hole” beside the White House as a problem of the President’s own making.

Separately, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport highlighted the state's duty to uphold civil rights, including humane treatment and adequate medical care for detained individuals, including those held by private corporations like GEO Group. Oregon’s Democratic Governor Tina Kotek expressed support for locally set moratoriums on new data center construction, following Hillsboro’s recent temporary prohibition.

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