US appeals court halts Trump White House ballroom plan
Xinhua · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago1 MIN
Summary
A U.S. appeals court has blocked President Donald Trump’s US$400 million White House ballroom project, ruling that the administration acted unlawfully in demolishing the East Wing and moving ahead without congressional authorization . The Washington-based court stayed its own ruling for 14 days, giving the administration time to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene .
Key Points
- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a divided 2-1 ruling in Washington on Friday, Aug. 7 .
- Judges said each president is a temporary tenant, not owner, of the White House and cannot redesign it without Congress .
- The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued after the administration bulldozed the entire East Wing over three days in October 2025 .
- The planned ballroom would cover about 90,000 square feet and be financed with privately collected funds lacking congressional oversight .
- U.S. District Judge Richard Leon had already blocked above-ground construction, while allowing underground work to continue before the appeal .
Why It Matters
The ruling is a significant test of presidential power over federal property, especially the White House as a national symbol and public institution . The next step is likely an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, while political resistance in Congress, including from some Republicans, may intensify .