A US appeals court has blocked the construction of a ballroom at the White House, a project initiated by President Donald Trump's administration. The court ruled that the large-scale renovation requires congressional approval, not just executive action. The $400 million project is now temporarily halted, according to infohub.kz.
The ruling, issued by a 2-1 vote, upheld an earlier preliminary injunction. The Trump administration has 14 days to appeal to the Supreme Court. The lawsuit was filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation after the administration demolished the East Wing of the White House.
President Trump has vowed to fight the decision, stating he will not abandon plans for the ballroom and a military complex. "We will immediately appeal to the Supreme Court. This is an unfair decision and should be completely overturned," he said, as quoted by RIA Novosti.
In October 2025, renovation of the East Wing began in Washington, with Trump announcing plans for a grand ballroom. In February, a court initially sided with the president, but that decision has now been reversed. The project's cost was previously disclosed.