A federal appeals court blocked above‑ground construction of President Donald Trump’s $1 billion White House ballroom until Congress authorizes the project, halting the president’s plan to add a massive event space to the historic complex in Washington.
The D.C. Circuit issued a 2‑1 opinion affirming a district court injunction that barred any above‑ground work on the proposed 250‑foot‑tall triumphal arch and ballroom. The lower court had already stopped construction after the National Park Service warned the project could damage dozens of historic sites near the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetery. Trump’s administration had sought $1 billion from Congress for the build, a request denied in May, while claiming private donations cover costs.
The ruling reinforces statutory limits on executive construction projects, preserving congressional prerogative over federal spending and protecting historic preservation statutes. It also keeps the federal budget unchanged for the ballroom, removing any immediate fiscal impact while the dispute proceeds through the courts.
Trump rejects the court’s premise, arguing that private fundraising and national‑security facilities embedded in the project eliminate any requirement for congressional consent. He has posted a lengthy rebuttal citing a dissent by Judge Neomi Rao and announced an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, leaving the ultimate outcome unresolved.