US President Donald Trump was ordered on Friday, August 7th, 2026, to halt construction of a new ballroom on the site of the demolished East Wing of the White House. The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld a preliminary injunction won by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which had sued Trump over the project last year.

The court ruling temporarily stops above-ground work on the 90,000-square-foot (8,360-square-meter) ballroom until the White House secures congressional approval. Judges Patricia Millett and Brad Garcia, both appointed by Democratic presidents, clarified that the order does not permanently bar construction but enforces the need for legislative consent.

The court emphasized that "Each President is a temporary tenant, not the owner, of the White House" and cannot fundamentally reshape it without Congress's approval. It stated that Congress has not granted the Executive Branch unfettered authority to redesign or reconstruct the White House to suit a particular president's desires.

Trump criticized the decision as a "horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful ruling." He also said the court "refused to acknowledge that the desperately needed, and totally secure Ballroom, which is being built ahead of schedule and under budget, is a Gift from President Trump and Great Patriots of the United States of America."

The court's ruling has been stayed for 14 days to allow the Trump administration to appeal to the US Supreme Court. Trump confirmed that his team will be "immediately appealing" the decision.

Work on the ballroom began last year with the swift demolition of the White House's entire historic East Wing. Trump has promoted the project as necessary for hosting large events at the White House.

Sources