Appeals Court Halts White House Ballroom
A federal appeals court halted Trump’s ballroom project pending congressional approval.
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Updated Aug 7, 9:10pm ETEvery side, every morning
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The reporting
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, in a 2-1 ruling, upheld a preliminary injunction stopping aboveground work on President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom project. The majority said Trump lacked authority to demolish or fundamentally reshape the White House without congressional approval, describing the building as property maintained for all presidents and the public. The order allows below-ground construction to continue and is stayed for 14 days. Trump said he will immediately appeal to the Supreme Court.
Analysis & opinion
Trump tantrumMostly Left
Trump’s response to the ruling was an angry, unhinged outburst rather than a serious legal argument. He lashed out because judges blocked a personal ballroom project he badly wanted to build.
Unauthorized vanityMostly Left
Trump’s ballroom plan is a legally indefensible vanity project that lacks the congressional approval needed to alter the White House. The courts were right to stop it, and Trump has little more than a flimsy argument to offer the Supreme Court.
Judicial obstructionMostly Right
Liberal judges are improperly blocking Trump’s White House ballroom plan rather than applying the law fairly. The stronger legal position supports Trump’s authority to proceed, and Judge Rao’s dissent points the way for the Supreme Court to correct the lower court.
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