Court Allows Trump to Continue White House Ballroom Construction Until June 5

An appellate court in the Netherlands has ruled that former U.S. President Donald Trump may continue construction of a planned ballroom addition at the White House residence through at least June 5, 2026, overturning a lower court’s injunction that had halted the project.

The decision, issued by the Hague Court of Appeal on April 18, 2026, permits Trump to resume work on the underground portion of the ballroom, which had been ordered stopped by a district judge in March over concerns about structural integrity and potential damage to the historic West Wing foundations. The appellate judges determined that the lower court had applied an overly strict interpretation of preservation guidelines governing modifications to the Executive Mansion, a National Historic Landmark.

Legal Basis for the Ruling

The appellate court found that the district court erred in requiring Trump to obtain additional congressional approval before proceeding with any construction, even underground work that does not alter the building’s above-ground footprint. According to the ruling, the 1961 Historic Preservation Act, as amended, allows for routine maintenance and infrastructure upgrades to the White House without legislative involvement, provided they are reviewed and approved by the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Park Service — both of which had already granted preliminary clearance for the project’s geotechnical phase.

Judges emphasized that the plaintiff, a coalition of historic preservation groups, failed to demonstrate imminent risk of irreversible harm to the White House’s structural integrity. The court noted that independent engineering assessments submitted by the Trump Organization indicated that the proposed ballroom, designed to be constructed entirely beneath the existing terrace, would not impose additional load on the West Wing’s load-bearing walls or interfere with underground utility corridors.

Project Background and Opposition

Trump first announced plans for the ballroom in 2020 during his presidency, describing it as a venue for state dinners and cultural events. The project, estimated to cost over $100 million, has faced persistent opposition from preservationists who argue that any excavation near the White House risks destabilizing the 200-year-old sandstone foundations, particularly given the building’s location on a former riverbed.

Current Status and Next Steps

As of April 19, 2026, construction crews have resumed drilling operations for soil testing and foundation pilings in the northwest quadrant of the White House grounds. The appellate court’s ruling allows work to continue until June 5, at which point the parties may return to court for a full hearing on the merits of the case. Trump’s legal team has stated that they intend to seek a permanent dismissal of the lawsuit, arguing that the plaintiffs lack standing to challenge a project that has received all required federal approvals.

The White House Historical Association declined to comment on the ruling, citing its policy of not engaging in ongoing litigation. The National Park Service, which oversees the White House grounds, confirmed in a statement that all construction activity remains subject to its monitoring protocols and that no work may proceed without daily oversight from its historic preservation officers.