On Friday, August 7, 2026, a federal appeals court ordered the Trump administration to stop construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House. The project involves building an 8,400-square-metre ballroom on the site of the demolished East Wing.

The three-judge panel from the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled in a 2-1 decision siding with historic preservationists who sued to halt the project. The court stated that President Donald Trump does not have the unilateral authority to make such a fundamental alteration to the White House without congressional authorization.

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 has stayed its ruling for two weeks to allow the administration to appeal to the US Supreme Court. Trump announced on social media that he would appeal what he called an "unjust decision."

Trump also wrote that "The Military and Secret Service are viewing this horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful ruling as a National Security threat to our Nation," emphasizing that the complex is being built for the protection of the country and future presidents.

Government lawyers have argued that the ballroom project represents the biggest structural change to the White House in over 70 years and includes critical security features to defend against threats such as drones, ballistic missiles, and biohazards.

Sources