Key facts
- A U.S. federal appeals court has blocked the construction of a $400 million White House ballroom.
- The court ruled that national security claims do not exempt the executive branch from federal statutes governing project funding.
- The ruling prevents the administration from proceeding with the construction of the ballroom.
- The court stated that each President is a temporary tenant and cannot fundamentally reshape the White House without congressional approval.
A U.S. federal appeals court has ordered the Trump administration to halt construction on a $400 million White House ballroom project. The court ruled that national security claims do not exempt the executive branch from federal statutes governing project funding.
The decision prevents the administration from proceeding with the construction of the ballroom, which was planned as part of renovations to the White House complex. The court also stated that each President is a temporary tenant and cannot fundamentally reshape the White House without congressional approval.