A federal appeals court ruled that President Donald Trump cannot proceed with construction of a massive White House ballroom without authorization from Congress, delivering a significant setback to the administration’s plans for the South Lawn facility that would include military command centers and medical facilities.

Court Strikes Down Executive Action

In a 2-1 decision issued Thursday, the appeals court sided with historic preservationists who challenged the construction project. The court declared that building the massive structure requires congressional approval and cannot proceed through executive action alone. Construction has already begun on the east side of the White House grounds, with the structure now visible above ground in recent aerial photographs. The court granted a two-week stay to allow the administration time to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The majority opinion emphasized constitutional limits on presidential authority. The judges wrote that whether a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and does not fall under executive power. The ruling stressed that this decision addresses only the constitutional question of authorization, not the merits of the ballroom itself. The administration may still build the facility if it secures proper congressional approval through the required legal channels.

Trump Promises Immediate Appeal

President Trump announced on social media that his administration will immediately appeal what he termed an unjust decision to the Supreme Court. In a lengthy response, Trump quoted from the dissenting opinion written by Judge Neomi Rao, whom he nominated to the bench. The president defended the project by detailing its planned features, including bomb shelters, hospital and medical facilities, top secret military installations, and enhanced security infrastructure. Military and Secret Service officials reportedly view these security upgrades as critical to White House operations.

Constitutional Powers At Stake

The case centers on fundamental questions about the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches. The appeals court determined that major construction projects on White House grounds require congressional authorization under constitutional and statutory law. This ruling could set precedent for future disputes over presidential authority to undertake significant government projects without legislative approval. The Supreme Court will likely face pressure to rule quickly given ongoing construction and the administration’s security justifications for the facility.