US appeals court blocks Trump's $400m White House ballroom project

A US federal appeals court has dealt a significant blow to Donald Trump's administration by ordering a halt to the construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House. The ruling, issued by the Washington-based US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in a 2-1 decision, stated that presidents are temporary occupants and lack the authority to make fundamental changes to the historic building without congressional consent.

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Each President is a temporary tenant, not the owner, of the White House.

The court upheld a preliminary injunction initially granted to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This organization had sued after the administration demolished the East Wing to build the 8,360-square-meter ballroom without seeking authorization from Congress. The majority opinion emphasized that the decision to construct such a large ballroom rests with Congress, not executive self-help.

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Whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for Executive self-help.

While the appeals court placed its ruling on hold for 14 days to allow for a potential appeal to the US Supreme Court, Donald Trump expressed strong opposition. He referred to the project as a "military center" and a security necessity on Truth Social, calling the court's decision "horrendous" and politically motivated. Trump argued that the ballroom, which he claims includes bomb shelters, medical facilities, and protection from aerial threats, is vital for the safety of White House officials and visitors.

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This unjust decision must be overturned by the Supreme Court in its entirety.

National Trust President Brent Leggs hailed the ruling as a victory for the American people's right to have a say in preserving cherished historic places, including the White House. This legal battle is one of several instances where Trump's efforts to reshape Washington's landscape have faced scrutiny. Previously, a judge ruled against the illegal addition of Trump's name to the Kennedy Center.

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a great day for our country and for the American people's right to voice their opinions about the historic places they cherish, including the White House.