US court orders halt to Trump ballroom construction

A US appeals court on Friday upheld an order halting construction of President Donald Trump’s proposed White House ballroom, ruling that the massive renovation requires explicit approval from Congress.

 

The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which had allowed construction to continue while it considered the case, agreed with a lower court that Trump could not proceed with the project without congressional authorisation.

 

The court stayed its ruling for two weeks to allow Trump to seek intervention from the US Supreme Court.

 

Trump reacted angrily to the 2-1 ruling, describing it as “horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful” and vowing to appeal.

 

“This decision, made after much of the work has been done and paid for, is a National Security Threat at the highest level. It is also a National Disgrace,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.

 

The majority judges were appointed by Democratic presidents, while the dissenting judge was nominated by Trump.

 

The court, however, clarified that its decision did not determine whether the proposed ballroom was desirable or permanently bar its construction.

 

“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,” the majority said.

 

“What it does mean is that the Defendants may not do so during the district court’s expeditious litigation without securing Congress’s authorization, as the Constitution and laws require.”

 

Trump had ordered construction of the ballroom, arguing that the White House needed additional space to host large events, including state dinners and other official functions.

 

Construction began last year following the demolition of the White House’s historic East Wing. Work has since progressed on an underground complex, with concrete structures also emerging above ground.

 

Under an earlier order by the district court, construction was permitted to continue only on a limited range of structures, including underground facilities.

 

Trump has maintained that the ballroom would be privately financed. However, media reports in June indicated that taxpayer funds were being used for parts of the project, which could cost as much as $600m.

 

The White House initially estimated the project at $200m before increasing the figure to $400m.

 

Trump has described the ballroom as one of several projects intended to leave his mark on Washington before the end of his presidency in 2029. Other projects include renovations around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and other parks, as well as plans for a large arch.

 

Several of the projects have faced legal challenges, but the ballroom dispute is the first to reach the Supreme Court level.