Court steps in over Trump’s White House ballroom construction

Politics
12 Apr 2026 • 4:10 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Court steps in over Trump’s White House ballroom construction

  • A federal appeals court has temporarily allowed construction to continue on Donald Trump's $400 million White House ballroom project.
  • The ruling by a three-judge US circuit court in Washington, DC, permits work until 17 April, when the court will revisit the issue.
  • This decision overturns a previous lower court injunction that had ordered the construction to cease by 14 April.
  • Trump's legal team argues the ballroom is vital for the safety and security of the White House and is fully funded by private donations, thus not requiring Congressional approval.
  • Opponents, including a preservation group, contend that the project exceeds presidential authority, requires Congressional approval for changes to public buildings, and does not constitute a national security emergency.

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