Trump Appeals Court Ruling Blocking White House Ballroom Construction

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled 2-1 on August 7, 2026, that Donald Trump lacks the legal authority to unilaterally redesign the White House. The court upheld a preliminary injunction won by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, ordering an immediate halt to above-ground construction of a 90,000-square-foot ballroom project. The court asserted that the president is a "temporary tenant, not the owner," and that such a project requires explicit congressional authorization.

The administration had previously demolished the White House East Wing in October 2025 to make way for the complex. While the court blocked the ballroom, it permitted continued work on underground national security infrastructure, including bomb shelters and medical facilities. Judge Neomi Rao dissented, calling the ruling a "blatant abuse of discretion" and arguing the trust lacked standing to sue.

Donald Trump condemned the ruling as "horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful," claiming the facility is a vital national security asset. He announced an immediate appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States. While the president maintains the project is privately funded, reports and Democratic lawmakers suggest costs have risen from $200 million to as high as $600 million, with claims that taxpayers may cover over half of the total cost via redirected funds. The appeals court stayed its decision for 14 days to allow the administration to seek Supreme Court review.