A federal appeals court has ruled against the Trump administration’s plan to build a $400 million ballroom at the White House without obtaining congressional approval. The plan involved constructing a 90,000-square-foot ballroom at the site of the former East Wing, which was demolished under President Trump’s order.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued the ruling, stating President Trump lacks the authority to undertake such construction alone. The 2-1 decision favored historic preservationists who opposed the project. However, the court will delay enforcing this decision for two weeks to allow for an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“Whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for Executive self-help,” the court asserted in its ruling.
The appeals court’s decision supports an earlier order by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon. Leon had previously ordered the halting of above-ground construction while allowing underground national security facilities to continue. President Trump criticized Judge Leon on social media, referring to him as biased.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation initially filed a lawsuit against the construction. Their lawyers argued that a ballroom does not address any national security emergencies, countering government claims that the project is necessary for security enhancements.
Judge Leon maintained that only above-ground work should cease without congressional authorization but allowed underground construction for security purposes. This includes bunkers and other facilities essential to White House security.
The National Capital Planning Commission had earlier approved Trump’s ballroom plan, with the commission responsible for overseeing federal property developments in Washington. Despite this approval, the legal requirement for congressional authorization remains a crucial factor in the continuation of the ballroom project.
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