Law & Justice
Trump ballroom halt upheld by US appeals court
A US appeals court on Friday upheld an order halting most above-ground construction on President Donald Trump's planned White House ballroom, but paused its ruling for two weeks so he can ask the Supreme Court to intervene.
Trump criticised the ruling as a “national disgrace.” He had also called it “horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful” and said he would immediately appeal.
The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit ruled 2-1 that such a major White House overhaul needed explicit approval from Congress. The court had previously allowed construction to continue while it considered the case.
Trump has argued that the project is a national security matter, pointing to a planned underground military bunker and other security features alongside the ballroom. The district court's earlier order allowed only limited work to continue, including underground structures.
The appeals court majority said its decision did not decide whether the ballroom was desirable or whether it could ultimately be built, only that construction could not proceed during the lower court case without congressional authorization.
Trump ordered the project after repeatedly saying the White House lacked enough space for large events such as state dinners. Work began last year with the demolition of the White House's historic East Wing. Trump has said the ballroom will be privately financed.
Update
Donald Trump criticised the court ruling on the White House ballroom as a “national disgrace.”
Source note: AFP news report published on 7 August 2026 at 23:06:04 UTC.
Update
Trump called the ruling politically motivated and unlawful and said he would immediately appeal to the Supreme Court.
Trump has described the project as a national security matter, citing an underground military bunker and other security features.
The district court order allowed work to continue only on limited structures, including underground work.
The White House first cited a $200 million cost estimate and later doubled it to $400 million.
The ballroom case would be the first of several Trump Washington building projects facing legal challenges to reach the Supreme Court.
Source note: AFP news report published on 7 August 2026 at 17:51:09 UTC.
Update
President Donald Trump said he would challenge the ballroom ruling in the Supreme Court.
Trump called the ruling “horrendous.”
Source note: AFP news report published on 7 August 2026 at 16:58:59 UTC.
Update
The appeals court ruling was issued by a three-judge panel in a 2-1 decision.
The panel allowed work to continue below ground, where a military bunker is planned.
The court said the ruling did not decide whether the ballroom was desirable or whether it could ultimately be built.
The item adds that construction began last year after demolition of the White House's historic East Wing.
Source note: AFP news report published on 7 August 2026 at 16:13:24 UTC.
Update
A three-judge DC Circuit panel ruled 2-1 to uphold the earlier order.
Enforcement of the construction halt was delayed for two weeks to allow a possible Supreme Court appeal.
The earlier order demanded a halt to most above-ground construction at the White House site.
Source note: AFP news report published on 7 August 2026 at 15:27:01 UTC.
Source
AFP news report published on .