Judge orders Trump to halt White House ballroom construction, escalating legal feud

A U.S. judge blocked the Trump administration from proceeding with above-ground construction of a $400 million White House ballroom project, except for actions deemed necessary for national security. The administration challenged the ruling, arguing the project is critical for safety, while the judge criticized the Justice Department's interpretation of security exceptions as 'brazen' and 'disingenuous.' An appeals court temporarily allowed construction to continue pending further clarification.