Appeals Court Halts Trump Ballroom Project, Paving Way for Supreme Court Showdown

A U.S. appeals court has halted the construction of a substantial ballroom at a Trump property, ruling that such a project requires explicit congressional authorization. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 2-1 decision, affirming a lower court's previous injunction to stop most of the construction.

The proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom, estimated at $400 million and privately funded, involved the demolition of the White House's East Wing. The appeals court determined that the President acts as a "temporary tenant" of the White House and its grounds, emphasizing that Congress holds the constitutional authority over federal property and its significant alterations.

The court's decision includes a 14-day stay, providing the White House an opportunity to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court. This ongoing legal challenge highlights a dispute over presidential authority regarding major changes to the White House complex.