Blanche confirmed as Attorney General, shaping Justice Department to serve Trump's agenda

A U.S. federal appeals court has temporarily halted construction on former President Trump's proposed $400 million White House ballroom, ruling that the project requires explicit congressional approval. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision issued Friday, upheld a lower court's preliminary injunction that found the President lacked the unilateral authority to proceed with the expansive construction. Judges in the majority emphasized that the President acts as a "temporary tenant," not the owner, of the White House, asserting that Congress holds constitutional control over federal property and its development.

This legal setback stems from a lawsuit filed last year by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which challenged the administration's decision to demolish the East Wing and begin building the 90,000-square-foot ballroom without seeking authorization from Congress. While a dissenting judge argued against the preservation group's standing and asserted presidential authority, the majority opinion stated that the question of such a substantial alteration to the White House rests with the legislative branch.

The appeals court has stayed its ruling for two weeks, providing the Trump administration an opportunity to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. Former President Trump has publicly announced his intention to "immediately" challenge the ruling, labeling it "totally wrong" and reiterating his position that the ballroom is a necessary "gift" and a critical security enhancement for the White House.