A United States federal appeals court has ordered the Trump administration to suspend above-ground construction of President Donald Trump’s proposed $400 million White House ballroom, ruling that the project cannot continue without approval from Congress.
In a 2-1 decision issued on Friday, the three-member judicial panel upheld an earlier injunction that prevents further visible construction while legal proceedings continue.
The judges stressed that major alterations to the White House require legislative authorization and cannot be undertaken solely through executive action.
According to the court, the White House is a national institution maintained for successive presidents and the American public, rather than the personal property of any individual occupying the presidency.
The ruling stated that decisions involving extensive redevelopment of the historic residence fall within Congress’s constitutional authority.
The case was brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation after the administration demolished the East Wing in 2025 to make way for the project.
The preservation group argued that the work violated federal law because lawmakers had not approved the redevelopment.
Although underground construction linked to the proposed security facilities has been permitted to continue, the latest judgment keeps the restriction on all above-ground work in place.
The appeals court also granted a 14-day pause before its decision takes effect, giving the administration an opportunity to seek emergency intervention from the US Supreme Court.
President Trump sharply criticized the ruling, describing it as politically driven and insisting that the project serves national interests.
He argued that the planned ballroom would improve the White House’s capacity to host official ceremonies, state functions and diplomatic events while incorporating advanced security infrastructure.
The president further maintained that the development includes protective features such as reinforced shelters, medical facilities and classified security installations designed to strengthen the safety of the presidential complex against emerging threats.
The administration has repeatedly defended the project as essential to modernizing White House security, citing concerns over drones, missile attacks and biological hazards.
Officials contend that the expanded facilities are necessary to safeguard the president, government personnel and visiting dignitaries.
Opponents, however, dispute those claims, arguing that the proposed entertainment venue is unrelated to any immediate national security requirement.
Preservation advocates have maintained that the historic character of the White House should not be altered without explicit approval from Congress.
In its opinion, the appeals court clarified that it was not assessing the merits or desirability of the ballroom itself.
Instead, the judges emphasized that the dispute concerns constitutional procedures governing alterations to federal property and the limits of presidential authority.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation welcomed the judgment, saying the decision protects one of America’s most recognizable landmarks until Congress determines whether the redevelopment should proceed.
Its President and Chief Executive Officer, Brent Leggs, described the White House as a symbol of American democracy that must be preserved for future generations.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong