Preservation group urges Supreme Court to suspend Trump’s White House ballroom project

A historic preservation group, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to suspend construction of President Trump's White House ballroom project. This request follows the Trump administration's plea to the Supreme Court to allow the $400 million project to continue during an appeal. The Trust argues the administration is trying to bypass judicial review and congressional permission for the demolition of the East Wing and construction of the 90,000-square-foot ballroom. A divided appeals court had previously upheld an order to pause aboveground construction, a ruling that was suspended for the administration's appeal. The administration contends the president has unimpeded authority to renovate the White House and that the project, including an underground military facility, is vital for national security.

The Trump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House to proceed. This follows a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which upheld a lower court's injunction pausing the project unless Congress grants authorization. The Department of Justice argues the ballroom is a necessary part of an integrated military complex vital for national security. The appeals court stated that decisions about constructing a large ballroom are for Congress to make, not the Executive branch. The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit after the administration began work on the ballroom last year.

President Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to permit the continuation of construction on a $400 million ballroom at the White House. This emergency application follows a recent appeals court order to halt construction until Congress grants approval, a decision initially won by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The administration argues that forcing the president to seek congressional permission for such projects is "dangerous" and would grant the legislature undue leverage. The Solicitor General stated that the project is 65% complete and that the stop-work order, set to take effect on August 21, would be inequitable. Trump has previously asserted that the ballroom is vital for national security due to a lack of adequate event space.

A US appeals court has upheld an injunction pausing the construction of President Donald Trump's White House ballroom. The two-judge majority ruled that the president requires congressional authority to proceed with such plans, emphasizing that Congress controls the White House property. The court noted the unprecedented nature of a president unilaterally demolishing a portion of the White House using private funds. The ruling cited potential "permanent and irreversible harm" to historic interests and stated that decisions about the ballroom's construction are for Congress, not the executive branch. Trump announced his intention to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, arguing the ballroom is a national security necessity. The demolition of the East Wing for the ballroom project began in October.

A US federal appeals court has ordered the Trump administration to halt construction on a $400 million ballroom at the White House. The Washington-based US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld a preliminary injunction, ruling 2-1 that Congress, not the Executive Branch, should decide on such a significant redesign of the White House. The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued after the administration demolished the East Wing and began building the large ballroom without congressional authorization. The court's decision was placed on hold for 14 days, allowing the administration to appeal to the Supreme Court. This ruling represents a setback for President Trump's efforts to reshape government buildings and national monuments.