US Court Halts Trump's White House Ballroom Construction Project

In a major setback to Trump, a US court has put a hold on Trump's pet $400 million White House ballroom construction project. A three-judge bench, in a 2-1 decision, ruled in favor of historic preservationists who had sued to stop construction. The court said President Trump does not have the unilateral authority to build a 90,000-square-foot (about 8,400 m2) ballroom after demolishing the East Wing of the White House. The ruling said Congress would decide whether to build a giant ballroom. It is not a matter of executive self-help. The court also granted a two-week stay on its decision so the administration can appeal to the Supreme Court. The ruling upholds District Judge Richard Lyons's April 16 order barring above-ground construction. However, underground security facilities (bunkers and other national security structures) can continue to be built. Trump previously criticized the District Judge for being an anti-American and anti-Historic Trust.