‘Temporary Resident’ in the White House: Will Trump’s Mega Project Be Halted?

The federal appeals court in Washington rejected the Trump administration's appeal and ordered a halt to construction of the new White House ballroom, estimated to cost around $400 million. The judges ruled that the president is a 'temporary resident' and not the owner, thus requiring congressional approval. Trump announced he will appeal to the Supreme Court.

The federal appeals court in Washington on Friday rejected the Trump administration's appeal and ordered a halt to the massive project to build the new White House ballroom, estimated at around $400 million. In a 2-1 ruling, the court determined that the president is not the owner of the White House but a 'temporary resident,' and therefore lacks constitutional authority to make drastic structural changes without congressional approval and funding. The order reaffirmed a temporary injunction issued last year, after the administration demolished the East Wing and began constructing a hall of about 8,360 square meters. The judges ruled that the decision to build the hall rests with Congress, dismissing national security arguments as an 'automatic card for bypassing the law.' Trump, who called the decision 'terrible,' announced he will appeal to the Supreme Court. The project, which started at $100 million and ballooned to $400 million, is the most ambitious of his plans to reshape the government landscape in Washington. According to a Washington Post analysis, Trump has spoken about the hall on about a third of the days this year, pushing for its completion before his term ends in January 2029.