US appeals court halts Trump ballroom project paving way for Supreme Court showdown
"Whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide," the appeals panel's majority said.
A federal appeals court has halted construction on President Donald Trump's $400 million ballroom project at the White House, setting the stage for a potential Supreme Court showdown. The court ruled that the project is not within the executive branch's authority and falls under the jurisdiction of Congress. The National Trust for Historic Preservation had sued the administration for tearing down the East Wing without congressional approval to begin the project.
The majority of the three-judge panel stated that no president owns the White House and its Executive Residence, and the property is designed and maintained for all presidents and the American people. The court delayed implementation of its ruling for 14 days to allow the administration to appeal to the Supreme Court.
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