Appeals court blocks construction of White House ballroom

A federal appeals court has ruled against the construction of a $400 million White House ballroom, stating that congressional approval is required for the project. Judges Patricia Millett and Bradley Garcia criticized President Trump for altering the historic structure without consulting Congress. They emphasized that each President is a temporary tenant of the White House and lacks constitutional authority over the property.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which initiated the lawsuit, argued that only Congress has the power to approve the changes. The ruling does not dictate whether the ballroom should be built or not, but it does mean that the construction cannot proceed without securing Congress's authorization. President Trump has announced he will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.