Court Halts Trump’s White House Ballroom Construction

The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit upheld an order halting construction on Donald Trump’s White House ballroom, asserting that such a significant overhaul requires explicit consent from Congress. The court's decision, made on a 2-1 ruling, allows a two-week period for Trump to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Trump condemned the ruling as “horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful,” emphasizing that it poses a national security threat. The majority of judges were appointed by Democratic presidents, while the dissenting judge was nominated by Trump.

The ballroom project, which Trump claims is necessary for hosting galas, has faced scrutiny regarding its funding, with reports indicating that taxpayer money could contribute to its estimated cost of up to $600 million. Initial estimates from the White House cited a $200 million price tag, which later increased to $400 million.

The ruling allows limited construction only on underground structures while litigation proceeds.