A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled on Friday that the Trump administration must halt construction on a proposed $400 million ballroom at the White House. The 2-1 decision upholds a preliminary injunction originally sought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which challenged the project following the demolition of the White House’s East Wing last year.

The court’s ruling specifies that all construction work must cease, with the exception of below-ground installations that the administration claims are necessary for security purposes. The judges concluded that Congress maintains constitutional authority over funding and development projects at the White House, effectively requiring the administration to secure legislative approval before the project can move forward.

While the administration has previously described the ballroom as a gift to the American public, the court’s decision represents a significant legal obstacle regarding the limits of presidential authority over executive mansion renovations. The ruling is set to take effect in two weeks, providing the administration a window to potentially appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. Sources differ slightly on the framing of the event; some outlets emphasize the legal test of presidential power, while others focus on the project's cost and the historical significance of the demolished structure.