A federal appeals court ordered the administration to halt construction of the White House ballroom on August 5, 2026, ruling that Congress must approve the project under constitutional requirements. The decision, issued by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, marked a major setback for the plans, which were called “unjust” and vowed to be appealed to the Supreme Court.
Court Ruling Halts Ballroom Construction
A three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the administration lacks the authority to proceed with the White House ballroom without congressional approval, citing constitutional separation of powers. The court’s 2-1 decision emphasized that whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for Executive self-help.
The ruling came days after construction had resumed on the East Wing’s former site, which was demolished to make way for the project.
The court granted a two-week stay to allow the administration to appeal to the Supreme Court, but the immediate halt disrupted ongoing work. The cost was previously estimated at $200 million, though contractors’ invoices cited in a June report suggested the total could reach $600 million. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which filed the lawsuit, celebrated the ruling as a victory for preserving the American people’s right to voice their opinions about the historic places they cherish.
Reaction and Appeal
Donald Trump immediately condemned the ruling, calling it horrendous, politically motivated and unlawful
and accusing the judiciary of overstepping. In a social media post, he argued that the ballroom was essential for national security, citing bomb shelters, hospital and medical facilities, and top secret military facilities
under construction. The entire Complex is being built for the protection of our Country,
he wrote, framing the project as vital to safeguarding future administrations and dignitaries.
The administration has long maintained that Congress’s approval was unnecessary, as private funding—raised from corporations and wealthy donors—would cover the costs. However, the administration initially requested $1 billion in federal funding, which Congress rejected in May 2026. Democrats had previously warned that $350 million in tax-cut funds appeared to have been redirected to the ballroom’s security measures.
Legal Battle Over Historic Preservation
The legal fight began in October 2025, when the administration started demolishing the East Wing of the White House to clear space for the ballroom. The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued, arguing that the project violated federal laws requiring congressional authorization for alterations to historic sites. The nonprofit’s president, Brent Leggs, stated that the ruling affirms the American people’s right to voice their opinions about the historic places they cherish.
The administration has signaled it will seek a Supreme Court review, though the high court’s docket remains crowded. The case now hinges on whether the administration can secure a stay of the appeals court’s order before the two-week deadline. If the Supreme Court declines to intervene, construction could face further delays.
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