Judge rules White House ballroom construction must halt until Congress OK's it

Viewed from the observation level of the Washington Monument, demolition work continues where the East Wing once stood at the White House on January 05, 2026 in Washington, D.C.

Trump responded to the ruling by complaining that the National Trust for Historic Preservation doesn't appreciate his efforts at "sprucing up" Washington's buildings.

(Image credit: Heather Diehl)