Judge orders Trump administration to halt White House ballroom construction unless Congress OKs it - AP News

AP News
March 31, 2026
3 min read

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Federal judge orders Trump administration to halt White House ballroom construction without congressional approval.

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A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to stop construction on a White House ballroom renovation project unless Congress approves it first. The ruling suggests the administration may lack legal authority to proceed with the work under current appropriations law. The decision reflects a legal challenge over whether executive branch projects of this scope require legislative authorization before spending federal funds. The injunction blocks the work pending either congressional approval or resolution of the underlying dispute about presidential spending power. This echoes broader tensions between the executive and legislative branches over control of federal construction and renovation projects.

What's Being Done

The injunction blocks construction pending either congressional approval or resolution of the underlying dispute about presidential spending authority.

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