The appeals court is allowing construction of the White House auditorium to continue for now
A three-judge appeals court panel has allowed construction of President Donald Trump’s ballroom at the White House to continue — for now.
In a decision issued late Friday, the commission granted an administrative stay of a previous injunction preventing the construction of a White House ballroom above the grounds.
Last month, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon to rule Trump could not build the planned hall without obtaining permission from Congress, prompting the White House to appeal the decision.
Construction cranes appear from the Washington Monument at the site of the former East Wing of the White House on April 17, 2026 in Washington, D.C.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Lyon revised his ruling this week – after the Court of Appeal ruled he needed to clarify his order – Saying that security-related work can continue, especially underground.
The White House appealed the order issued Thursday, and a three-judge appeals panel granted a stay of Leon’s injunction to give the justices time to consider the White House’s emergency request for a broader, longer-term stay of Leon’s injunction.
Work continues on building the Ballroom at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
Alison Robert/AP
“The purpose of this administrative stay is to provide the court with sufficient opportunity to consider the emergency motion to stay the appeal pending appeal, and should not be construed in any way as a ruling on the merits of this motion,” the panel wrote in the order.
It is unclear how long this administrative stay may remain in effect. The Court of Appeal set the oral arguments session in this regard on June 5.
The white house Construction announced With an area of 90 thousand square feet ballroom In late July, demolition suddenly began on the east wing In late October When workers were seen demolishing the White House wing.
National Trust for Historic Preservation I filed a lawsuit In December, he sought to halt construction of the ballroom until the project completed the standard federal review process and the administration sought public comment on the White House’s proposed changes.
