“Each president is a temporary tenant, not the owner, of the White House,” says court
Court Orders Trump Administration to Halt White House Ballroom Construction
WASHINGTON — A US federal appeals court has ordered the Trump administration to suspend construction of a proposed $400 million ballroom at the White House, delivering a significant legal setback for President Donald Trump in a dispute over presidential powers.
The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the president cannot make major changes to the historic White House complex without approval from Congress. In its 2-1 decision, the court said that presidents serve as temporary occupants of the White House rather than owners with unlimited authority over its structure.
The ruling upheld a preliminary injunction secured by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which filed a lawsuit after the administration demolished the White House’s East Wing and began work on a planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom without congressional authorization.
The appeals court said the decision to construct such a major addition should be made through Congress rather than by executive action alone. The court temporarily paused its order for 14 days to allow the administration to appeal to the US Supreme Court.
Trump criticized the ruling, calling it politically motivated and arguing that the project was necessary for national security. He said the planned facility would include advanced safety measures, including protective areas, medical facilities, and security systems against potential threats.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation welcomed the decision, saying it protected the public’s role in preserving important historic landmarks, including the White House.
The case follows earlier decisions by a federal judge who blocked above-ground construction while allowing underground work to continue.
While the administration has described the ballroom as essential for major official events and security improvements, the appeals court said national security concerns do not automatically allow the executive branch to bypass legal procedures.
A dissenting judge argued that the court had exceeded its authority by interfering with construction at the White House.
Trump has defended the project’s increased cost, saying the redesigned ballroom would be larger and built to a higher standard, promising that it would be a secure and high-quality addition to the presidential complex.
