Appeals Court Upholds Ballroom Construction Block: “Each President is a Temporary Tenant”

A DC federal appeals court has upheld a previous decision to halt the construction of the bigly ballroom at the White House because it does not have Congressional approval.

A 2-1 decision came from a court that sided with historical preservationists, although the decision was not based on how desirable the project was, nor its aesthetic capacity for the property. The decision was based solely on the Constitutional requirements that the project be approved by Congress, not the Executive currently in office.

"Each President is a temporary tenant, not the owner, of the White House and its Executive Residence. The President has no—and claims no—constitutionally assigned authority over that property"

In sweeping, 136-page ruling, DC appeals court blocks construction of Trump ballroom pic.twitter.com/cNST4NtDql

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) August 7, 2026

Judge gives Trump two weeks to challenge the ruling and send the case to the Extreme Court.

The appeals court gives Team Trump a two-week period to challenge this ruling, before its ruling takes effect

"We will stay this decision for fourteen days to allow the Defendants, if they choose, to seek Supreme Court review"

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) August 7, 2026

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, a GW Bush appointee, ordered the initial halt of above ground construction in March. The appeals panel was comprised of an Obama appointee, a Biden appointee, and a Trump nominee.

The ruling does not infer that the construction of a ballroom won’t happen, but it will not happen without the blessing of Congress.

AP