Appeals Court Blocks Construction of White House Ballroom A federal appeals court has blocked the construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House, delivering a scathing rebuke to President Donald Trump's attempts to unilaterally remake the historic structure without consulting Congress.
The majority opinion, written by Judges Patricia Millett and Bradley Garcia, rejects Trump's claim that national security concerns justify bypassing constitutional checks and balances.
The appeals court's decision centers on the fundamental question of who has authority over the White House and its Executive Residence.