Appeals court temporarily halts $400 million project for ballroom at the White House

Donald Trump’s administration must temporarily halt construction of a ballroom on the site formerly occupied by the White House’s East Wing. The decision was issued Friday by a federal appeals court in the United States.

In a 2-1 ruling, the Court of Appeals upheld a temporary injunction sought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The organization turned to the court after the administration demolished the East Wing and began work on a ballroom of approximately 89,000 square meters without first securing congressional approval.

Enforcement of the decision has been delayed for 14 days. This period gives the Trump administration the opportunity to appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The administration had previously challenged the rulings of federal judge Richard Leon. On two separate occasions, he halted the construction of above-ground structures but allowed underground work to continue.

Leon, who was appointed to the position by former Republican President George W. Bush, said that no federal law grants the president the right to erect such a facility without congressional authorization.

The White House has justified the project by arguing that the ballroom is necessary for holding large official events and strengthening security measures at the presidential complex. The initiative has been described as one of Trump’s most ambitious projects to transform the architectural appearance of government buildings and national monuments in Washington.

Trump has also defended the project’s costs, which have doubled compared with initial estimates. In a post made last month on Truth Social, the president said the higher cost resulted from the project’s expansion and the selection of higher-standard materials.

“The ballroom will be magnificent, safe and secure,” Trump wrote.