Appeals court blocks Trump's White House ballroom construction
A federal appeals court panel blocked President Trump’s White House ballroom in a 2-1 vote on Friday, saying that work must stop except for below-ground construction, including installations Trump says are needed for security. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit panel ruled that Congress retains control over funding for development at the White House and...
The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has ordered President Donald Trump to pause construction of a large ballroom on the demolished East Wing of the White House. The decision reverses a previous ruling favoring the National Trust for Historic Preservation, who sued Trump over the matter last year. This setback is a significant blow for Trump, who has championed the project, claiming the White House requires a substantial ballroom for hosting events.
The court's ruling has been temporarily paused for 14 days, allowing the administration to appeal to the Supreme Court. Trump promptly announced his intention to appeal the decision, labeling it a "horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful ruling" and a "bold assertion that the Executive can act with utter lawlessness." The court emphasized that Presidents are temporary tenants, not owners, of the White House, and cannot fundamentally alter it without congressional approval.
It also dismissed national security concerns as insufficient grounds for unilateral action, stating that such arguments are not an automatic get-out-of-law-free card.
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