Supreme Court Asked to Halt Construction of Trump’s White House Ballroom
A legal battle over the construction of a new ballroom at the White House has reached the U.S. Supreme Court. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a preservation group, has requested the court to pause the project as legal proceedings continue. This request follows the Trump administration’s push for permission to continue with the $400 million development despite ongoing appeals.
The project has been contentious, with the trust’s legal team arguing that the administration is bypassing necessary congressional approval. “The administration cannot identify any statute granting them ‘express authority’ to destroy a third of the White House and replace it with a massive, privately funded ballroom, because none exists,” stated the trust’s attorneys.
Construction of the 90,000-square-foot ballroom involves demolishing the East Wing and incorporates an underground military facility designed to enhance presidential security. This initiative is part of President Trump’s broader strategy to transform Washington.
The appeal comes after a split decision by an appeals court panel, which upheld a decision to pause aboveground construction. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, appointed by former President George W. Bush, emphasized, “no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have.”
The Trump administration asserts that the president possesses the sole authority to modify the White House without interference from Congress or the courts. The Justice Department has highlighted concerns about security risks due to the current state of construction.
Meanwhile, the administration argues that the National Trust for Historic Preservation lacks the legal standing to file a lawsuit against the ballroom project. The trust, however, maintains that the existing injunction is “narrowly tailored, and limited in scope and duration,” allowing essential security work to proceed.
Chief Justice John Roberts set a deadline for the trust to submit their response, with Solicitor General D. John Sauer urging the Supreme Court to resolve the issue before the appeals court’s decision takes effect. Sauer described the injunction as “extraordinary and unlawful,” noting the critical national security need for the construction to continue.
As of now, the ballroom project, which has been underway for ten months, is approximately 65% complete.
