A U.S. appeals court on Friday upheld a lower court ruling that halted President Donald Trump’s project to build a large ballroom at the White House, angering the president, who said he intends to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
Trump described the ruling in a post on his Truth Social platform as a “national disgrace”, adding that it represents “a threat to national security at the highest level.” He pointed to the project’s inclusion of a fortified underground military shelter and other security facilities.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled by a 2–1 majority to uphold an April decision by a lower-court judge ordering most above-ground construction work at the White House to be halted. Enforcement of that ruling had been suspended pending the appeals court’s decision.
The panel gave the U.S. government 14 days to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
The appeals court stressed that the construction halt was “not related” to the substance of the project itself, but rather to the fact that the president began construction without obtaining congressional approval.
The court said the administration does not possess “unlimited authority” allowing it to redesign, modify, or rebuild the White House—the “people’s house”—according to the president’s personal wishes.
Trump also said on Truth Social that he would appeal the ruling “immediately to the U.S. Supreme Court,” denouncing it as a “horrible, politically motivated and illegal ruling.”
Trump initially promoted the project as necessary for hosting large-scale events. He has increasingly emphasized its national security importance, however, particularly after plans were expanded to include a fortified underground shelter, a drone launch facility, and other security infrastructure.
Construction has continued at the site, with photographs showing visible progress on the project.
A second construction project ordered by Trump is also underway at the White House, involving the development of a landing and takeoff area for the presidential helicopter.
Work on the ballroom project began in October, when Trump ordered an entire wing of the White House to be demolished to make way for the new facility, which is designed to accommodate approximately 1,000 people for receptions, dinners, and events honoring foreign dignitaries.
The project’s estimated cost, which Trump says is being fully funded through private donations, has risen from $200 million to $400 million.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a nonprofit organization with a congressional mandate to protect historic buildings, filed a legal challenge against the project.
Trump has launched several construction and renovation projects in Washington and has closely followed their progress.
The Republican president frequently discusses these projects in posts on Truth Social and in speeches, often providing details about the materials and construction techniques being used.
Trump has said he intends to restore Washington’s former grandeur, accusing previous administrations of neglecting the U.S. capital.
His critics, meanwhile, accuse him of wasting public resources to satisfy his personal ambitions.
Source: (AFP)
