WASHINGTON, DC — A US appeals court has upheld a lower court order stopping above-ground construction of President Donald Trump’s proposed White House ballroom, ruling that the project cannot proceed without authorisation from Congress.
The decision, delivered on Friday by a three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, represents a setback for one of Trump’s major White House renovation projects.
The court ruled 2-1 to uphold the earlier decision ordering a halt to construction above ground while litigation over the project continues. However, the appeals court temporarily stayed its ruling for two weeks, giving the Trump administration time to seek intervention from the US Supreme Court.
Construction work below ground will be allowed to continue, including work connected to a planned military bunker.
The majority of the appeals court stressed that its decision was not a judgment on whether the proposed ballroom was a good or bad policy choice.
The judges said the ruling was instead focused on whether the administration could proceed with the project without obtaining the necessary approval from Congress.
The court stated that the administration could not continue construction during the ongoing district court proceedings without securing congressional authorisation, as required by the US Constitution and existing laws.
Trump had ordered the construction of the ballroom after repeatedly arguing that the White House does not have adequate space to accommodate large formal events, including state dinners and other major gatherings.
The planned ballroom is part of Trump’s broader effort to undertake major changes and renovations around the White House complex during his current presidency.
Work on the project began last year following the demolition of the White House’s historic East Wing, a move that drew criticism from preservationists and opponents of the project.
The ballroom project has become one of Trump’s most prominent efforts to reshape the White House complex. His administration has also pursued other major projects and renovations in Washington, including changes involving the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and other public spaces, as well as plans for a large commemorative arch.
With the appeals court’s ruling temporarily stayed, the administration now has a two-week window to ask the Supreme Court to intervene and potentially allow construction to continue while the legal battle proceeds.
