Appeals Court Allows Work on White House Ballroom to Continue for Now

A federal district judge halted the project on March 31, saying Trump lacked authority to proceed without congressional authorization.

Construction workers (bottom R), atop the U.S. Treasury building, watch as work continues on a largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House on Oct. 23, 2025. Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo

A divided federal appeals court on April 11 temporarily allowed construction to continue on the planned White House ballroom after a judge previously ordered work on the project to be halted.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit voted 2–1 to let construction carry on until at least April 17. The appeals court said the extension would give the Trump administration time to appeal its new order to the U.S. Supreme Court if it wishes to do so.