Court blocks White House ballroom without Congress approval, keeps underground work moving

A DC Circuit Court of Appeals panel upheld a district court’s injunction blocking the White House ballroom while allowing underground work to continue, and stayed its ruling for 14 days to give the administration a chance to seek review by the Supreme Court. The ruling emphasizes that major White House changes require Congressional authorization, not unilateral executive action, even amid security concerns, and notes that privately funded construction cannot proceed without Congress’ approval; President Trump says he will appeal, while a dissent criticizes the ruling as overreach.