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Court blocks Trump White House ballroom; appeal to Supreme Court
A federal appeals court blocked Trump's 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom without congressional approval. Trump plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, setting up a constitutional clash over executive authority.
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A federal appeals court ruled Friday that President Donald Trump cannot build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the White House East Wing without congressional approval, a decision Trump called a national security threat and said he would immediately challenge to the Supreme Court.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, in a 2-1 vote, said the president lacks unilateral authority to construct the project. Trump had ordered the East Wing demolished last fall to make way for a ballroom with a capacity of 999 people, a drone port on the roof, and a military complex. The court said in its ruling: "Whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for Executive self-help."
Trump posted on Truth Social that the decision was a "National Security Threat at the highest level" and a "National Disgrace." He said the administration would immediately appeal to the Supreme Court. The appeals court stayed its order for two weeks, giving the administration time to file.