Read our Privacy noticePresident Donald Trump derided a federal appeals court ruling halting construction of his White House ballroom and demanding he seek congressional approval, insisting it would “severely jeopardize the lives and welfare” of White House staff. Trump continued to rage about the ruling on Friday night and their view a president is a “temporary tenant” of the White House. “This decision, made after much of the work has been done and paid for, is a National Security Threat at the highest level. The Independent has asked the White House for comment. As judges have increasingly ruled against the construction of the White House ballroom, the administration has increasingly characterized the project as a pivotal national security or military project.