Construction of U.S. President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom project will be allowed to continue after an appeals court granted an administrative stay, temporarily blocking a lower court order that had halted parts of the work.
The ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia means both underground and above-ground construction can proceed pending a further hearing on 5 June..
The decision follows a ruling by District Judge Richard Leon, who had ordered a partial halt to construction, arguing that the project may have required congressional approval.
Leon also questioned the administration’s argument that the development was justified on national security grounds, warning it could be used to bypass legal requirements..
“National security is not a blank cheque to proceed with otherwise unlawful activity,” he wrote.
The project has been challenged by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which argues that construction began without proper review by the National Capital Planning Commission and without congressional authorisation.
The Justice Department appealed the ruling, warning that a halt could “imperil the president and national security” and leave a large excavation site beside the Executive Residence.
The White House has defended the project, arguing it is essential for hosting large diplomatic and security-related events.
Trump said the ballroom was “needed now” and described it as part of a broader secure complex.
“It’s all tied together as one big, expensive, and very complex unit,” he said on Truth Social, adding that it would include bomb shelters and medical facilities.
He also criticised the court decision, saying judges should not be able to block the project.
The East Wing of the White House, originally built in 1902, was demolished in October to make way for the new ballroom, which is planned to accommodate up to 1,350 guests.
The White House has said the project will cost around $400 million and is being fully funded by private donors.
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