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Posted on 08/07/2026 9:31:49 AM PDT by Red Badger
A federal appeals court on Friday blocked construction of President Trump’s White House Ballroom.
In a 2-1 vote, a three-judge panel in the DC Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that President Trump lacks the authority to move forward with the construction without approval from Congress.
Judges Patricia Millett (Obama) and Bradley Garcia (Biden) wrote the majority opinion.
“Whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for Executive self-help,” majority wrote.
“Congress has not ceded unfettered authority to the Executive Branch to dramatically redesign, reshape, and reconstruct the White House — the People’s House — to fit a particular President’s desires,” the judges wrote.
The appeals court stayed its ruling for 14 days to give the Trump Administration time to appeal to the US Supreme Court.
A federal judge earlier this year limited the construction on President Trump’s privately-funded White House ballroom.
Last summer, the Trump Administration announced a White House Ballroom construction project.
“For 150 years, Presidents, Administrations, and White House Staff have longed for a large event space on the White House complex that can hold substantially more guests than currently allowed. President Donald J. Trump has expressed his commitment to solving this problem on behalf of future Administrations and the American people,” the Trump White House said.
“The White House is one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in the world, yet the White House is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders and other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building entrance. The White House State Ballroom will be a much-needed and exquisite addition of approximately 90,000 total square feet of ornately designed and carefully crafted space, with a seated capacity of 650 people — a significant increase from the 200-person seated capacity in the East Room of the White House,” they said.
In June, the Senate voted on a proposal to block the construction of President Trump’s 90,000 square foot ballroom.
The proposal, which needed 60 votes, failed 52-47.
However, SIX Republican Senators voted with the Democrats to block the construction of the ballroom: Collins, Husted, Moran, Murkowski, Sullivan and Tillis.
The proposal was introduced by Democrat Senator Jeff Merkley during a vote-a-rama.
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Just ridiculous. So much time and effort being wasted. But that’s the whole point, right? Tie the Trump administration down through the judicial cartel.
And who’s going to enforce the ruling?
Why not just leave the UFC venue as a permanent installation used for hosting and finish the below ground security facility?
Anything to obstruct. Petulant children.
Since there’s no money involved from the Federal Government, it should only require a majority vote.
“The appeals court stayed its ruling for 14 days to give the Trump Administration time to appeal to the US Supreme Court.”
Which means they know this ruling is toast. If the White House isn’t the Executive Branch’s house and solely under its purview, then the President needs to move out. It is the ultimate symbol of the Executive Branch and these arsehats just ruled it belongs to Congress.
I could see this ruling making sense from a funding basis. If Trump were using funds appropriated for another purpose, then yes, it is for Congress to decide. But that is not what is going on here.
“Why not just leave the UFC venue as a permanent installation used for hosting and finish the below ground security facility?”
You have touched on a very interesting part of this venture. The congress is responsible for signing off on new construction based upon their controlling the budget for new construction they pay for. If they are not involved with the construction of the facility, they are not in the lineup that day. Congress is not funding the construction. They are only funding the security systems for it which is not part of the actual real property of the building. It’s an accessory because the actual creation and work on the building without their security system makes it none of their business. This is going to get into a pizzing contest.
wy69
The White House was formerly known as the President’s Palace, Presidential Mansion, or President’s House before Teddy Roosevelt changed the name to the White House by executive order. It was never the “People’s House” ever. The people’s House, is the U.S. House of Representatives. Leftist judges get everything wrong.
Democrats like watching elegant women in long gowns use porta potties at state dinners. That’s their real beef here - they hate all things pleasant and civilized.
Who was that idiot with the fascists tattoo democrats supported? The jerk off... remember him? Their ‘judges’ are no different. Trash people.
I hate that song.................
Looks like it has to be torn down and that will cost a bunch or money. Taxpayers should not be stuck with the bill. Trump should pay. Trump should have waited.
Ignore the SOBs
No standing. Judicial cannot dictate to Executive outside of constitutional issues, not construction on the grounds of the WH.
Midterms in 3 months. Jobs numbers down. People of all political persuasions are not thinking about a ballroom.
So Congress must approve any changes to any federal building?
the White House is not “The People’s House.” Clinton started that hogwash. It was originally (before the white house) - “The President’s residence at Pennsylvania Ave.” and became “The White House at 1600...”). It is government housing. The President is entitled to privacy there...and, if he wanted, could opt not to hold press briefings there and go back to the Indian Treaty room across the street where all Presidents did it until Nixon boarded up the pool that Kennedy made infamous. The argument that a tenant of property cant make improvements or significant changes without the owner’s permission makes logical sense, and would apply here...the owner being the govt. But whether congress or exec approves on behalf of the govt when no spending (congress decision) is needed is dubious...i mean seems like an exec function if no spending...but future maintenance costs (therefore spending) increases.
The “People’s House” is down the street. Two Chambers. One is literally “The House of Representatives” of the people. The other chamber contains the toilet.
White House is no more the people’s house than the residence at the Naval Observatory, the Commandants House, The CNO House, or any military on-base housing. Wonder if those semantics, as a matter of erroneous presumption on which a weak argument is built, has value in appeal.
When it comes to these kinds of ridiculous, overreaching rulings that’s always been my attitude.
Unfortunately, the President doesn’t seem to agree with my position.
3 people get to decide what is done by the executive branch ever hear t3he statement co-branches of govt. Hey, GOP Congress, get back from vacation and stop these rinky-dink Democrat-appointed judges. Ever hear of impeachment? Let’s take apart their ruling: 2 democrat controlled judges that cover a politically controlled area by the commy party. Nice. Meanwhile, the Senate had to strangle a leader to get a law passed that the entire nation wants.
It’s an exact time to fire Thune and make him, as the Brits say, a BACK-BENCHER. It’s always about the money, isn’t it? McConnell controls the re-election money; he gives it to thune an once again the SENATE becomes a joke. Mandatory term limits are the only cure. IMHO btw 90% of what’s in that bill has been in existence in the FLORIDA GOVT.Since Gov Rick Scot was our leader.
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