Appeals Court Rules Donald Trump Can’t Build White House Ballroom Without Congressional Approval, Potentially Halting Further Construction
A federal appellate court ruled on Friday that Donald Trump must get congressional approval to build his massive new ballroom at the East Wing of the White House. In a 2-1 decision, the court ruled that construction on the ballroom will have to halt, except for those parts of the structure for safety and security. […]
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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