White House ballroom construction can continue for now, appeals court says

Politics White House ballroom construction can continue for now, appeals court says April 11, 202610:56 PM ET By  Chandelis Duster Work continues on the construction of the ballroom at the White House, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Washington, where the East Wing once stood. Rod Lamkey/AP hide caption toggle caption Rod Lamkey/AP Construction on a proposed White House ballroom can continue until April 17, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled Saturday, while the Trump administration challenges a lower court ruling that ordered a stop to construction because the project lacked congressional approval. Culture Trump touts newly released plans for D.C. triumphal arch President Trump has been battling a lawsuit brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in December to prevent the East Wing ballroom plan from going forward. A three-judge panel ruled 2-1 that the president's plan for a massive neoclassical ballroom can move forward temporarily as the lower court further reviews the case. Saturday's decision gives the administration time to have the Supreme Court weigh in on the future of the site. The appeals court decision stays a March ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, who had ordered that the construction must stop by April 14, "until Congress authorizes its completion." Sponsor Message The administration began demolishing the East Wing in October to make room for the new ballroom, which is expected to seat 1,000 guests and cost at least $300 million. Trump has defended the ongoing construction, saying the space is necessary to host large events. Last month, the president argued that halting the ballroom construction would pose national security risks, alluding to the existence of a secure bunker under the ballroom. Trump told reporters on March 29 about his administration's plans to upgrade the FDR-era bunker: "The military is building a big complex under the ballroom." He added...