A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Friday cleared the way for construction on President Donald Trump’s planned White House ballroom to continue at least through June, temporarily overriding a lower court’s restrictions on the project.
The decision came one day after U.S. District Judge Richard Leon narrowed his earlier halt on construction. Leon had initially blocked work on the project in March, citing concerns that it lacked required congressional approval. In his revised ruling this week, he allowed only limited underground work to proceed, focusing on substructure elements such as potential secure facilities, while stopping broader above-ground construction.
The appellate panel granted a stay of that limitation, effectively restoring the administration’s ability to continue more extensive building activity for now. The judges also scheduled oral arguments for June 5, when they will reconsider whether the project should be fully paused while litigation continues.
The dispute centers on a proposed $400 million expansion project at the White House that includes a large ballroom and supporting infrastructure. According to court filings, the design incorporates reinforced materials intended to enhance security, including blast-resistant steel supports, protective roofing systems, and hardened glass. The plans also reference integrated secure areas such as medical facilities, emergency shelters, and classified operational spaces.
The Trump administration has argued in court that the construction is essential for national security and presidential protection. Officials have maintained that delaying or stopping the project could create operational and safety risks, including leaving unfinished structural gaps near the Executive Residence.
The Department of Justice moved quickly to appeal Leon’s restrictions, warning that limiting construction could interfere with security planning and leave a significant construction void adjacent to the White House.
President Trump has publicly criticized the district court’s involvement, describing the rulings as improper interference with executive authority and asserting that the project is vital to national interests. His administration has continued to defend the ballroom as both a security upgrade and a long-term enhancement to White House facilities.
The proposal, first introduced in October, involved demolition work in the East Wing and has already received approval from the National Capital Planning Commission. That body determined the project was consistent with prior White House renovations undertaken by previous administrations.
The ongoing lawsuit, brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, argues that the administration must comply with federal preservation and construction requirements, including securing appropriate congressional authorization before proceeding further. The outcome of the June hearing is expected to determine whether the project continues uninterrupted or faces renewed judicial limits.
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