US appeals court halts Trump ballroom project paving way for Supreme Court showdown
A US federal appeals court has blocked the Trump administration from continuing above-ground construction on a $400 million White House ballroom project. The court ruled that the executive branch lacks the authority to redesign the White House without congressional approval, setting the stage for a Supreme Court appeal.
Why it matters
The case serves as a significant constitutional test regarding the limits of presidential executive power versus congressional oversight.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The White House helipad and new ballroom extension under construction in Washington DC on 5 August 2026
The Trump administration has been ordered to stop construction on President Donald Trump's $400m (£297m) ballroom at the White House.
A federal appeals court dealt the latest setback to the controversial project on Friday, testing Trump's presidential authority and paving the way for a Supreme Court showdown on appeal.
"Whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for Executive self-help," the panel's majority said.
The order upholds a preliminary injunction won by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sued after the administration tore down the East Wing last year to begin the project without congressional approval.
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