Judge temporarily halts construction of Trump's White House ballroom

A federal judge temporarily halted construction of a ballroom at the White House, ruling that President Trump, as steward rather than owner of the building, lacks unilateral authority to undertake major structural modifications. The Republican-appointed judge's distinction between stewardship and ownership suggests the president cannot treat the residence as personal property for renovation projects. The injunction creates an immediate obstacle to the administration's plans while raising questions about the scope of presidential authority over the White House complex. The ruling likely requires Trump to secure additional approvals or legal clearance before the project can resume. The case hinges on whether a sitting president can authorize significant construction without congressional oversight or National Park Service approval.