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NewsWSVN 7 MiamiAugust 7, 2026Miami-Dade

Appeals court blocks White House ballroom construction without Congressional approval

A federal appeals court ruled that the Trump administration must halt aboveground construction of a $400 million White House ballroom because it lacks required Congressional authorization. The court stayed the order for two weeks to allow the administration to appeal to the Supreme Court.

White HouseConstructionCongressional OversightHistoric PreservationExecutive Power
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Why It Matters

The ruling prevents the executive branch from unilaterally altering the White House grounds, affirming that major structural changes to federal property require legislative approval regardless of the funding source.

Key Facts

  • The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled 2-1 that the White House ballroom construction requires Congressional approval.
  • The court issued a two-week stay on its ruling to allow the administration to appeal to the Supreme Court.
  • The project is estimated to cost $400 million.
  • The proposed ballroom is 90,000 square feet and designed to hold 999 people.
  • The ruling only applies to aboveground construction; underground work on bunkers and security facilities may continue.
  • Congress previously refused a $1 billion funding request for the project in May.
  • The National Capital Planning Commission granted final approval for the project on April 2.
  • The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to stop the project in December 2025.
  • The administration claims the project includes essential national security features like bomb shelters and medical facilities.

Who's Mentioned

personNeomi Rao“Appeals court judge who dissented”personLeon“District court judge who issued the initial injunction”organizationU.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit“Court issuing the ruling”organizationNational Trust for Historic Preservation“Plaintiff in the lawsuit”organizationNational Capital Planning Commission“Commission that previously approved the project”personPatricia Millett“Appeals court judge who supported the ruling”personBradley Garcia“Appeals court judge who supported the ruling”personDonald Trump“President of the United States”