Appeals Court Halts Trump's $400 Million White House Ballroom

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 demolish and redesign portions of 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 proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the site of the former East Wing, which the administration demolished in October 2025.

Judges Patricia Millett and Bradley Garcia wrote that presidents are temporary tenants, not owners, of the Executive Residence, and that major structural changes are a matter for Congress rather than Executive self-help. While the court blocked the ballroom, it permitted continued work on underground security infrastructure, including bomb shelters and medical facilities. The court stayed its ruling for 14 days to allow the administration to appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States.

President Trump condemned the ruling as a national security threat and politically motivated, arguing the complex is a vital military asset featuring drone-proof ceilings and missile-resistant steel. While the president claims the project is funded by private donations from corporations like Amazon and Lockheed Martin, reports indicate costs have risen from $200 million to as high as $600 million, with some estimates suggesting taxpayers may cover over half the total. Judge Neomi Rao dissented, arguing the district court lacked jurisdiction and that the ruling was a blatant abuse of discretion.