Trump says he’ll appeal decision halting ballroom construction to the Supreme Court
A federal appeals court found that whether “a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for Executive self-help.”
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Aug. 7, 2026, 8:19 AM PDT / Updated Aug. 7, 2026, 11:00 AM PDT
By Ryan J. Reilly and Dareh Gregorian
A federal appeals court on Friday affirmed a U.S. judge’s ruling to block construction of the White House ballroom while allowing below-ground work to move forward.
In a 2-1 decision, a panel of judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit affirmed the modified preliminary injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon. But it stayed its own ruling for 14 days to allow the Trump administration to appeal the case to the Supreme Court.
President Donald Trump blasted the ruling in a post on his social media platform and vowed to “immediately” appeal the decision to the nation’s highest court. [Editor’s Note: Truth Social link for confirmation only. It is a Trump vehicle, full of lies, believe nothing from Trump’s Truth Social scam. –DrWeb]
Trump said the ballroom project, which includes the construction of an underground complex that would house military and security facilities, was “required for the National Security of Washington, D.C.”
“The Military and Secret Service are viewing this horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful ruling as a National Security threat to our Nation in that the entire Complex is being built for the protection of our Country and, additionally, all future Presidents,” Trump said, repeating an argument he has made throughout the proceedings in the case.
The decision also “jeopardizes the lives and welfare of the people who work, and will be working, at the White House — including all future Presidents of the United States, and their families, as well as the lives of all those visiting, such as Heads of State and other Dignitaries, and all Americans who wish to visit the historic, beautiful Executive Mansion,” Trump wrote.
The White House did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment.
Brent Leggs, president of the plaintiff organization, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, praised the ruling in a statement, saying it shows the “White House, a global landmark that symbolizes American identity and the ideals of democracy, belongs to the American people.”
The appeals court’s ruling found that whether “a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for Executive self-help.”
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