A federal appeals court on Friday temporarily halted a lower court’s order blocking above-ground construction on President Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom, allowing work to resume while the court scheduled a full hearing for June.
The decision represents the latest clash over the scope of presidential authority, with a nonprofit preservation group arguing that Trump lacked the power to demolish the East Wing without prior approval from Congress and other federal agencies.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit put a temporary hold Friday on U.S. District Judge Richard Leon’s order blocking above-ground construction on President Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom. The appeals court scheduled a hearing for June 5 to review the case, leaving the project partially suspended.
Judge Leon’s Earlier Ruling
Judge Leon had ruled a day earlier that construction could not proceed with above-ground work, though he permitted below-ground construction on a bunker and other “national security facilities” at the site. The appeals court’s temporary stay removes that restriction, allowing work to resume while preparing for oral arguments.
Authority Over Historic Landmarks
The dispute centers on whether Trump has the authority to demolish the East Wing—which he tore down last fall—without prior approval from Congress and other federal agencies. The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to block the project, arguing that Trump had overstepped his authority by moving forward without approval from key federal agencies and Congress.
Leon ruled in favor of the preservation group at the end of March, initially blocking the project. The Trump administration then appealed, bringing the case to Friday’s panel decision.
Trump’s Vision and Funding Plan
The ballroom would span 90,000 square feet. Trump has called it “a long-overdue addition to the White House complex.” He has argued that donations from wealthy individuals and corporations will cover the $400 million construction cost, while taxpayer dollars will cover only the security aspects.
June 5 Hearing
The appeals court hearing on June 5 will be the next opportunity for both sides to present arguments on whether Trump possesses the authority to pursue the project without congressional involvement.