US President Donald Trump holds a rendering of the East Wing modernization as he speaks to reporters aboard Air Drive One en path to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on March 29, 2026.
Mandel Ngan | Afp | Getty Photos
A federal appeals court docket is permitting President Donald Trump to proceed constructing a $400 million ballroom on the White Home, ruling a day after a decrease court docket decide continued to block above-ground building on the location of the previous East Wing.
A 3-judge panel of the U.S. Court docket of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit late Friday placed on short-term maintain the order by U.S. District Choose Richard Leon halting a part of the challenge. The panel scheduled a listening to for June 5 to evaluation the case.
In his ruling Thursday, Leon continued to dam above-ground building of the 90,000-square-foot (8,400-square-meter) ballroom addition whereas permitting solely below-ground work to proceed on a bunker and different “nationwide safety services” on the website.
Trump tore down the East Wing final fall to construct the huge ballroom there. The Nationwide Belief for Historic Preservation later sued to dam building, arguing that Trump had overstepped his authority by continuing with the challenge with out first acquiring approval from key federal businesses and Congress.
Leon dominated in favor of the nonprofit group on the finish of March however put his determination on maintain for a quick interval, permitting the underground work to proceed. The administration appealed.
Trump has mentioned the ballroom is a long-overdue addition to the White Home complicated and argues that he has the suitable to construct it as a result of the associated fee might be lined by donations from rich people and companies, although taxpayer {dollars} can pay for safety.