Trump's White House Ballroom Halted: The Unexpected Court Ruling

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court blocked further construction of President Trump’s new White House ballroom, ruling that the massive project must first receive congressional approval.

In a 2-1 decision, a panel of DC circuit judges determined that “Congress has exclusive authority to regulate the construction and demolition of White House structures.”

“We are aware of no instance in American history in which a President unilaterally and using privately collected funds demolished substantial portions of the White House that Congress authorized to be built and American taxpayers paid for. Until now,” wrote judges Patricia Millet and Bradley Garcia for the majority.