US appeals court halts construction of $400 million White House ballroom

On August 7, 2026, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a 2-1 ruling blocking the Trump administration from continuing construction on a $400 million ballroom at the White House. The project, which involves replacing the historic East Wing with an 8,360-square-meter facility, was challenged by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The court ruled that the President cannot unilaterally alter the White House structure without explicit authorization from Congress, asserting that presidents are temporary tenants rather than owners.

In response to the ruling, President Donald Trump labeled the decision as politically motivated and a threat to national security, announcing his immediate intention to appeal the case to the US Supreme Court. The appellate court has granted a 14-day stay on the injunction, allowing the administration time to file its appeal. This legal battle stems from a lawsuit initiated last year after the administration demolished the East Wing to begin the construction. As the case moves toward the Supreme Court, the fate of the partially completed structure remains uncertain, pending further judicial review.