Federal Appeals Court Allows Trump White House Ballroom Construction Until April 17

A federal appeals court ruled that construction on Trump's White House ballroom can proceed until at least April 17.

“The United States appeals court has allowed construction on the White House ballroom to continue at least until April 17, extending a pause on a lower court’s order that barred further building”

Al Jazeera

The 2-1 decision means construction can continue while the court considers the issue in more detail.

Al Jazeera

Judges Millett and Garcia formed the majority, while Rao issued a dissent.

The appeals court sent the case back to a lower judge to reconsider national security claims.

The ruling was the result of a March 31 order from Judge Leon who ordered construction to be paused.

The Trump administration argued that pausing construction would create a security risk.

The Justice Department described the upgrades as vital to national security.

AP News

The National Trust argued the president is incorrectly linking the ballroom with the security bunker.

The appeals court noted much of the government's concerns focused on below-ground security work.

The White House now seems to suggest those security upgrades are inseparable from the project.

Judge Leon ordered construction halted because the president had not sought authorization from Congress.

“A federal judge must reconsider the possible national security implications of halting construction of President Trump's $400 million White House ballroom, a federal appeals court ruled on Saturday”

CBS News

He wrote the president is the steward but not the owner of the White House.

The National Trust sued in December to stop the project.

The ballroom is estimated at about 89,000 square feet.

The appeals court kept Leon's injunction on hold through April 17.

Carol Quillen said the National Trust awaited further clarification from the district court.

She said broad consultation including with the American people results in a better overall outcome.

CNN

The project has faced opposition from preservationists, architects, and many citizens.

Trump has said he expects the ballroom to be finished by summer 2028.