A U.S. appeals court has ordered a halt to construction of a ballroom at the White House, ruling that the project cannot proceed without congressional approval. The decision, reported by Global News on Friday, blocks work on the addition that had been underway.
The court's ruling requires President Trump to obtain authorization from Congress before continuing the build. According to Global News, the appeals court determined that the executive branch lacks the unilateral authority to construct the ballroom without legislative sign-off. The decision upholds an earlier block on the project, as noted by The New York Times.
The ruling has drawn sharp reactions. Yahoo News Canada reported that the judges' written judgment included pointed language directed at Trump, with the outlet describing the decision as a "devastating" rebuke. Le Monde.fr reports that Trump has vowed to take the case to the Supreme Court, signaling a prolonged legal fight over the project's fate.
The ballroom construction has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over presidential powers and the use of the White House grounds. The appeals court's decision reinforces the principle that major structural changes to the executive residence require congressional oversight, according to the reporting.
The case now appears headed for the Supreme Court, where the justices will decide whether the appeals court's interpretation of congressional authority stands. Until then, construction remains paused, and the ballroom's future is uncertain.
