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Federal Appeals Court Halts White House Ballroom Construction

architecture-design · 2026-08-08

A federal appeals court has ruled 2-1 that construction on a new ballroom adjacent to the White House must cease without congressional approval. This decision upholds a prior district court ruling that blocked the 90,000 square-foot, privately-funded project, which includes a secure subterranean bunker. The lawsuit was initiated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation against the National Parks Service. Brent Leggs, the Trust's president and CEO, expressed approval of the ruling. Defendants have 14 days to consider an appeal, and President Trump intends to challenge the decision in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Key facts

  • Federal appeals court ruled 2-1 that construction on the White House ballroom must stop without congressional approval.
  • The decision upheld a district court ruling blocking the project.
  • The ballroom is a 90,000 square-foot, privately-funded structure adjacent to the White House.
  • The complex includes a secure subterranean bunker.
  • The lawsuit was brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation against the National Parks Service.
  • Brent Leggs, president and CEO of the National Trust, praised the decision.
  • Defendants have 14 days to decide whether to appeal.
  • President Trump announced plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Entities

Institutions

  • National Trust for Historic Preservation
  • National Parks Service
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • Truth Social

Locations

  • White House
  • Washington, D.C.
  • United States

Sources