D.C. Circuit Grants Temporary Stay: White House Ballroom Construction to Continue
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that construction on President Donald Trump’s new White House ballroom may proceed until at least April 17. In a 2-1 decision issued Saturday, the court temporarily stayed a previous injunction by District Judge Richard Leon, which had halted the project on the grounds that the administration lacked congressional authorization.
The appeals court directed Judge Leon to reevaluate his ruling with a specific focus on the safety and security implications of pausing the work. The administration has argued that leaving the site—where the East Wing once stood—in its current state creates national security vulnerabilities.
While Judges Patricia Millett and Bradley Garcia formed the majority, Judge Neomi Rao dissented, arguing that the security risks presented by the government constitute "irreparable injury" and justify staying the injunction indefinitely. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which initiated the lawsuit in December, remains committed to advocating for the historic significance of the site. This temporary stay provides the administration a window to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court if necessary.
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