Senate votes to block rule giving White House more control over research

A federal appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump's administration must halt construction of a $400 million White House ballroom until Congress approves the project, dismissing it as an "executive self-help" move. The three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit dismissed the administration's argument that it can build the 90,000-square-foot structure without legislative backing, citing the Constitution and laws.

The decision, which has been stayed for two weeks, follows a lawsuit brought by historic preservationists, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, who argue that the ballroom could compromise the historical significance of nearby sites. Trump vowed to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, describing the decision as "unjust" and warning it could threaten national security.

The court emphasized that the decision was not about the project's desirability or policy merits but rather about the legality of the administration's unilateral action.