US appeals court halts Trump ballroom project paving way for Supreme Court showdown

A federal appeals court has halted construction on President Donald Trump's $400m ballroom project at the White House, setting the stage for a potential Supreme Court showdown. The majority of the court panel ruled that the President does not have the constitutional authority to redesign the White House without congressional approval, referring to the White House as "the People's House."

The ruling upholds a preliminary injunction issued by a lower court, which blocked the above-ground construction of the ballroom after the administration demolished the East Wing to begin the project without proper authorization. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which brought the lawsuit, hailed the decision, emphasizing that the White House belongs to the American people and should be preserved for future generations.

The administration has appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court, granting itself an additional 14 days to do so.