Trump’s White House ballroom project blocked by appeals court

Key Points:

• A U.S. federal appeals court ordered the Trump administration to halt construction of a $400 million ballroom on the site of the White House's demolished East Wing, upholding a preliminary injunction by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
• The court ruled that Congress, not the Executive Branch, must authorize major alterations to the White House, emphasizing that the president does not have unfettered authority to redesign the building.
• The ruling was issued in a 2-1 decision and includes a 14-day stay to allow the Trump administration to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
• The ballroom project, intended for large formal functions and security purposes, has faced legal challenges, with a district court previously blocking above-ground construction due to lack of congressional approval.
• The case highlights broader disputes over the Trump administration's efforts to reshape government landmarks, including a separate lawsuit over the unauthorized addition of Trump's name to the Kennedy Center.