A US federal appeals court has ordered the Trump administration to immediately halt construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House.
The ruling targets the development planned for the site of the demolished East Wing, dealing a significant setback to the project.
The decision underscores intensifying legal scrutiny of federal spending initiatives.
Democrats have criticized the project as expensive and unnecessary, arguing that it diverts federal resources that could otherwise be used to assist Americans facing rising living costs.
The administration has defended the initiative, with President Trump stating that the project is desperately needed.
However, the court's intervention forces a pause in work and raises questions about the project's future viability and funding.