Trump Calls White House Celebration Hall Ruling a “National Disgrace”

Former U.S. President Donald Trump labeled a judicial order suspending his planned White House Celebration Hall project a “national disgrace” on Friday, following his announcement that he intends to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In a social media post, Trump stated that the ruling—issued after substantial work had already been completed and its costs paid—“poses a threat to national security at the highest level” and “constitutes a national disgrace.” He referenced the project’s inclusion of an underground hardened military shelter and other security infrastructure.

Court Upholds Construction Halt

An American appellate court affirmed on Friday a lower-court order halting construction of a new Celebration Hall at the White House. The ruling applies to the project championed by Trump, and enforcement of the halt has been stayed for two weeks to allow time for a potential Supreme Court appeal.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued the decision by a 2–1 vote. It upheld the earlier ruling from a lower court that suspended most above-ground construction activities at the White House site. That lower-court order had previously been on hold pending the appellate court’s judgment.