A federal appeals court has ruled that Donald Trump must obtain Congress’s approval before continuing construction of a large ballroom at the White House’s East Wing. The 2-1 decision means most work must stop, reinforcing the court’s view that a president is a temporary occupant rather than the owner of the Executive Residence and cannot unilaterally alter it.

The court allowed limited safety and security work and gave Trump’s administration 14 days to seek Supreme Court review, which he has said he will do. Construction had resumed during the appeal after a lower-court ruling was paused; above-ground elements are now visible after the East Wing was demolished last October, despite preservation groups’ concerns and no public review.