National News Appeals court rules Trump can’t build White House ballroom without congressional approval The Republican president said on social media that the administration will immediately appeal what he called an “unjust decision” to the U.S. Supreme Court. Construction continues on a helipad and the White House Ballroom on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in Washington. Advertisement:Friday’s ruling marked the second time this week that the Trump administration has made headlines for construction plans that have been called into question. But the Trump administration had requested $1 billion for the ballroom, which Congress refused in May. Attorneys for the preservation group countered that the lack of a White House ballroom doesn’t constitute a national security emergency.