Federal appeals court halts Trump’s White House ballroom

The U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia upheld an injunction that pauses the construction of President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom on Friday. The decision was made by a panel of judges on October 12, 2024, in Washington, D.C. The ruling stops work on the new ballroom until the case is resolved.

The court said that the White House is the “people’s house” and that Congress controls the building and its grounds. The judges wrote that the president is only a temporary tenant and has no constitutional power to alter the property. They pointed to the October demolition of the century‑old East Wing, which was carried out without congressional approval. The judges noted that no president before has demolished a major part of the White House using private money.

The panel voted 2‑1, with Judges Patricia Millett and Bradley Garcia in the majority and Neomi Rao dissenting. The majority said the ballroom would cause “permanent and irreversible harm” to the historic and aesthetic value of the complex. They also said Congress, not the executive, must decide whether a ballroom is needed. The injunction is in effect for 14 days to give the Trump administration time to appeal to the Supreme Court. Trump posted a 487‑word statement on Truth Social, calling the ruling a political attack and saying he would appeal to the Supreme Court. He argued the ballroom is a national‑security facility for future presidents. Critics say the project is a vanity venture that ignores the White House’s historic character.

The case is now on the Supreme Court’s docket. The outcome could set a precedent for presidential powers over federal property and clarify Congress’s role in White House renovations. The ruling also highlights the tension between the executive and legislative branches over the use of federal funds and historic preservation. The final decision will determine whether the ballroom can be built or whether the White House will return to its original layout.