A federal appeals court has ruled that the Trump administration cannot proceed with construction of a ballroom at the White House without approval from Congress. The decision places the project on hold and raises questions about the administration’s authority to undertake major construction on the presidential grounds without legislative authorization.
The ruling follows a legal challenge to the planned project and focuses on whether existing executive authority is sufficient to permit the work. The court’s decision means construction must stop while the broader dispute over the project’s legality continues.
Trump has indicated that he will ask the Supreme Court to intervene, setting up a potential further appeal. The case could ultimately require the justices to decide how much authority the executive branch has over significant changes to the White House complex and whether congressional approval is required.