Trump Dealt Biggest Blow Yet as Judges Rule His Ballroom Is Illegal

A federal appeals court panel ruled that Donald Trump must stop aboveground construction on his beloved ballroom.

A federal appeals court ruled Friday that President Donald Trump must halt aboveground construction on his White House ballroom. 

In a 2-1 ruling, a  D.C. Circuit Court panel determined the Trump administration must seek approval for construction from Congress, which has the “exclusive authority to regulate the construction and demolition of White House structures.”

“At this preliminary stage, the National Trust has shown, compellingly, that Congress has not ceded unfettered authority to the Executive Branch to dramatically redesign, reshape, and reconstruct the White House—the People’s House—to fit a particular President’s desires,” the ruling stated. 

Trump-appointed Judge Neomi Rao dissented, agreeing with the administration that the National Trust for Historic Preservation did not have the standing to challenge the construction. The nonprofit’s case was centered around Professor Alison Hoagland, a member of the National Trust, who formally claimed that the ballroom was an aesthetic injury to the White House. 

Rao argued that the decision would “permit adjudication of any government action that a plaintiff finds unsightly.” But by the judge’s logic, the Trump administration could make unilateral sweeping changes to any national landmark—even, as the DOJ tried to claim, the Statue of Liberty. 

For months, Trump has treated the White House—which belongs to all Americans, not just the president—like one of his gaudy resort properties. 

Meanwhile, the price tag on Trump’s ballroom has exploded. The president originally claimed that his ballroom project would only cost $200 million, but that number later ballooned to $300 million, and then $400 million after he decided to tack on extra construction. In June, a bombshell report revealed that taxpayers would be expected to foot the bill for half of a $600 million total cost.

The ruling will be implemented in 14 days to allow the Trump administration time to appeal the decision. Should this case continue up the chain, the Supreme Court is likely to reverse the appellate decision. 

This story has been updated.

Trump May Not Help Struggling Republicans in the Midterms

And he seems to be totally fine with that.

President Trump correctly identified Americans’ mass dissatisfaction with the GOP—but doesn’t think that it extends to him.

“The question is will they vote? ‘Cause a lot of them are very angry at Republicans, to be honest with you … They’re not angry at me, but they are angry at Republicans,” Trump told Punchbowl News in an interview released on Friday.

“I could do a lot easier. I don’t have to be away in Nevada yesterday. I didn’t have to be........

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