A U.S. appeals court has upheld an injunction pausing construction of President Donald Trump's $400 million White House ballroom, finding the project needs congressional authority. The ruling was placed on hold for 14 days to allow an appeal to the Supreme Court.
Key facts
- A federal appeals court ordered the Trump administration to halt construction on the White House ballroom project.
- The court ruled above-ground construction cannot continue without approval from Congress.
- The ruling was placed on hold for 14 days to allow an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Trump said he will appeal to the Supreme Court.
- A two-judge majority said the president needed congressional authority to proceed.
A U.S. federal appeals court has ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to halt construction on a $400 million White House ballroom project, according to CNBC and Al Jazeera. The decision upholds an injunction that pauses the work while the underlying legal dispute continues.
The court’s two-judge majority underscored that the president needed congressional authority to move forward with his plans, Al Jazeera reported. NPR reported that the appeals court said above-ground construction cannot continue without approval from Congress, siding with historic preservation advocates.
The appeals court placed its ruling on hold for 14 days, according to CNBC, in order to allow the Trump administration time to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. That window sets up a potential high court review of the dispute.
Trump said he will appeal to the Supreme Court after the lower court blocked the project, CNBC reported. The pause means construction cannot proceed for now unless a higher court intervenes.
The case centers on whether the executive branch can undertake the project without sign-off from Congress. NPR framed the ruling as teeing up a Supreme Court review, with historic preservation advocates on one side and the administration on the other.
As of the reporting, the ballroom construction has been halted while the legal process plays out. The next step depends on whether the Supreme Court takes up the administration’s expected appeal within the 14-day window.
Why it matters
The ruling raises constitutional questions about the limits of presidential power and the role of Congress in approving major changes to the White House. With a Supreme Court appeal expected, the outcome could set a significant precedent for how such projects are authorized.
Frequently asked questions
Why did the court block the ballroom project?
The two-judge majority ruled that the president needed congressional authority to move forward, and that above-ground construction cannot continue without approval from Congress, according to Al Jazeera and NPR.
What happens next?
The appeals court placed its ruling on hold for 14 days to allow the Trump administration to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, and Trump said he will appeal, according to CNBC.
How much is the ballroom project worth?
The project is valued at $400 million, according to the reporting.