A federal appeals court has blocked above-ground construction of President Donald Trump’s proposed $400 million White House ballroom, preserving a preliminary injunction that prevents the project from moving forward while the administration seeks further review. The decision puts a high-profile spotlight on a basic constitutional question: whether the executive branch can unilaterally authorize a major structural change to the White House complex, or whether Congress must expressly approve it.

The dispute, brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has quickly become more than a fight over one building project.

The Justice Department announced on June 16, 2026, that five men were arrested and charged in federal court in connection with an alleged conspiracy to attack and kill government officials and other attendees at a UFC event hosted at the White House. According to prosecutors, the alleged scheme went well beyond inflammatory rhetoric: the government says it involved coordinated planning, weapons procurement, and activity spanning multiple states.

Even at the charging stage, the case stands out for both the alleged target and the theory of prosecution.

The Justice Department has announced the arraignment of Cole Tomas Allen, 31, in U.S. District Court on charges stemming from the April 25, 2026 shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. Most notably, prosecutors say the case includes an allegation of attempted assassination of the president—instantly making it one of the most closely watched federal criminal matters on the docket.

At this stage, the arraignment is a procedural step, but it is also the formal point at which the federal case becomes concrete for court watchers: charges are presented, counsel appearances are made, and the court begins managing detention, scheduling, and the early pretrial process.