A federal judge has halted construction of President Donald Trump’s proposed White House ballroom, putting the high-profile project on hold amid legal challenges. The plan — which involved building a large new event space on White House grounds — had already drawn criticism over costs, use of federal property, and whether proper approvals were followed.

The court’s decision to pause construction signals that serious legal questions remain unresolved, including concerns about executive authority, funding mechanisms, and compliance with preservation rules tied to historic government buildings.

Critics argue the project represents a misuse of public resources for a vanity-style addition, while supporters say it would modernize the White House’s capacity for large events. For now, the ruling stops work entirely, setting up what could become a longer legal battle over presidential powers and the use of federal space.