On Friday, August 7th, 2026, a federal appeals court ordered the Trump administration to stop construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House. The project, planned on the site of the demolished East Wing, was halted because President Donald Trump lacks unilateral authority to make such a significant structural change without Congress's consent.

The three-judge panel from the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a 2-1 decision siding with historic preservationists who sued to stop the construction. The National Trust for Historic Preservation had filed the lawsuit in December 2025, shortly after the East Wing was demolished to make way for the ballroom, which Trump said would accommodate 999 people.

The court stated it would stay its ruling for two weeks to allow the administration to appeal to the US Supreme Court. Trump responded on social media, calling the decision “unjust” and announcing plans to appeal. He also described the ruling as a "horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful" threat to national security, citing views from the Military and Secret Service that the complex is essential for protecting the country and future presidents.

Government lawyers have defended the project as the largest structural modification to the White House in over 70 years, emphasizing its critical security features designed to counter threats such as drones, ballistic missiles, and biohazards.

The court emphasized that the defendants cannot proceed with construction during the ongoing litigation without congressional authorization, as required by the Constitution and laws.

Sources