On Friday, August 7th, 2026, the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit ordered the Trump administration to halt construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House. The court ruled in a 2-1 decision siding with historic preservationists who had sued to stop the project, which has started rising aboveground on the east side of the White House where the historic East Wing once stood before its demolition last fall.

The appeals court agreed with a lower court that such a significant overhaul requires explicit congressional approval. The court wrote, “Whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for Executive self-help.” It clarified that the ruling does not address the policy desirability of the ballroom but emphasizes that the defendants cannot proceed without Congress’s authorization as mandated by the Constitution and laws.

The court also announced it would stay its ruling for two weeks to allow the administration time to appeal to the US Supreme Court. US President Donald Trump condemned the ruling as "horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful" and vowed to appeal.

Several of Trump's other construction projects, including a proposed 76-metre-tall triumphal arch, have faced legal challenges, but this ballroom project is the first to reach the Supreme Court.

Sources