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US court blocks Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom plan
A US federal appeals court has halted President Donald Trump's $400 million plan to build a ballroom at the White House, ruling that the administration cannot proceed without congressional approval. In a…
The Story in Brief
A US federal appeals court has halted President Donald Trump's $400 million plan to build a ballroom at the White House, ruling that the administration cannot proceed without congressional approval. In a 2-1 decision, the Washington-based Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld an earlier injunction obtained by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sued after the East Wing was demolished and construction began on the 90,000-square-foot facility.
The court wrote that Congress, not the executive, must decide on such a major redesign of 'the People's House'. The ruling is stayed for 14 days, giving the Trump administration time to appeal to the US Supreme Court. The project's cost has reportedly doubled from initial estimates. Trump has defended it as necessary for large events and security.
The Indian Opinion
Supporters of the project say the White House needs modern event space and better security, but the court found that the law does not give the president unilateral authority to demolish a historic wing and build a ballroom. Critics, however, should note that the project is privately funded and security concerns are real. The real test is whether the Supreme Court will take up the case and clarify the limits of executive power over historic landmarks. What justifies bypassing Congress for a hall twice the size of the original plan?
Sources (6): timesnownews.com, english.mathrubhumi.com, hindustantimes.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, thehindu.com, livemint.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 6 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 6 sources.
