Appeals Court Blocks Trump’s $400 Million White House Ballroom
The 2-1 ruling says above-ground construction requires congressional approval The post Appeals Court Blocks Trump’s $400 Million White House Ballroom appeared first on TheWrap .
A federal appeals court has struck down President Donald Trump's plan for a $400 million White House ballroom, ruling that his administration cannot proceed with above-ground construction without congressional approval. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit's 2-1 decision, penned by judges Patricia Millett and Bradley Garcia, sided with historic preservationists who challenged the 90,000-square-foot project.
The court's two-week stay provides the Trump administration the chance to request a Supreme Court review. The ballroom would be built on the site of the White House's former East Wing, which was demolished last year, and was initially planned to accommodate 999 people. National Trust for Historic Preservation had sued to halt the project, contending that the administration could not undertake such a significant White House alteration without congressional authorization.
Government lawyers had argued for the security upgrades' importance, stating that they would protect the president, his family, and White House staff from threats like drones, ballistic missiles, and biohazards. However, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon rejected the administration's assertion that the entire construction project should be permitted under a national security exception.
The court's ruling does not conclusively prevent the ballroom's construction, leaving room for an appeal to the highest court in the land.
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