Appeals Court: Trump White House Needs Congress for Ballroom Project

A federal appeals court has ruled that the Trump White House does not have the unilateral authority to construct a massive 90,000-square-foot ballroom, determining that the $400 million project requires explicit approval from Congress.

The D.C. appellate panel, in a 2-1 decision, upheld a lower court's finding that the White House likely lacked the necessary authority to demolish and rebuild portions of the East Wing. The majority opinion emphasized that Congress possesses "full constitutional control over federal property and the funding of its maintenance and development." Judges noted the "absence of any express or implied authorization" that would grant the president the power to undertake such a construction project.

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Each President is a temporary tenant, not the owner, of the White House and its Executive Residence. The President has no, and claims no, constitutionally assigned authority over that property, which is designed and maintained for the use of all Presidents, current and future, and for the American people.

"Each President is a temporary tenant, not the owner, of the White House and its Executive Residence," the judges wrote in their opinion. "The President has no, and claims no, constitutionally assigned authority over that property, which is designed and maintained for the use of all Presidents, current and future, and for the American people."

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We are aware of no instance in American history in which a President unilaterally and using privately collected funds demolished substantial portions of the White House that Congress authorized to be built and American taxpayers paid for. Until now.

The majority further highlighted the unprecedented nature of the proposed action, stating, "We are aware of no instance in American history in which a President unilaterally and using privately collected funds demolished substantial portions of the White House that Congress authorized to be built and American taxpayers paid for. Until now."

Judges Patricia Millett and Bradley Garcia authored the majority opinion, while Judge Neomi Rao dissented. The decision has been stayed for 14 days, allowing the Justice Department time to consider an appeal to the full appellate court or directly to the Supreme Court. The court clarified that its ruling does not necessarily prevent the ballroom's construction but rather addresses the procedural requirement for congressional approval.

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This holding has nothing at all to do with whether the proposed ballroom is desirable, or not, as a matter of policy. This ruling does not even necessarily mean that the Defendants may not ultimately construct the ballroom. What it does mean is that the Defendants may not