Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom hits another legal roadblock

A federal appeals court in Washington D.C. recently issued a ruling prohibiting the construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House, without obtaining congressional authorization. The decision, made by a three-judge panel, sided with historic preservationists who argued against the administration's unilateral action. The court's decision, issued in a 2-1 vote, stated that the executive branch does not have the power to construct such a large facility on its own.

The court emphasized that the project's desirability is a matter for Congress to decide, not the executive branch. The ruling comes after a lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in December 2025, just after the demolition of the East Wing of the White House. The court temporarily stayed its ruling for two weeks to allow the administration to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Despite the court's decision, construction of below-ground work, including bunkers and other national security facilities, is allowed to continue. President Trump, who proposed the ballroom, criticized the decision, accusing the judge of undermining national security and delaying the project. The court's decision has sparked a debate over the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches in such matters.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation also argued that the project is not a national security emergency, as the White House already has a ballroom. However, government lawyers maintained that the project includes essential security features to protect the President, his family, and staff. The case has been assigned to Judges Patricia Millett, Neomi Rao, and Bradley Garcia.