Judge blocks Trump's White House ballroom project, requiring congressional approval.

A federal judge has halted above-ground construction of President Donald Trump's $400 million White House ballroom project, allowing only necessary underground security work to continue. Judge Richard Leon ruled the administration cannot bypass legal requirements under national security claims, requiring congressional approval for the full scope of the renovation. The decision blocks the demolition of the East Wing and suspends the 90,000-square-foot project while the administration considers appealing the ruling.