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 until it secures congressional approval. The 2-1 decision sided with historic preservationists who sued to stop the project, which has already begun rising aboveground on the east side of the White House, where the historic East Wing once stood before its demolition last fall.

The court emphasized that "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 desirability of the ballroom but enforces constitutional and legal requirements for congressional authorization during ongoing litigation.

The court also announced it would stay its ruling for two weeks to allow the administration time to appeal to the US Supreme Court. 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 level.

Sources