The Supreme Court temporarily allowed construction of President Trump’s White House ballroom to continue on Friday, issuing a brief order signed by Chief Justice John Roberts that halted a lower court’s block on the project. The 90,000-square-foot ballroom, estimated to cost at least $400 million, has been the subject of a months-long legal battle between the Trump administration and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The administration sought emergency relief from the Supreme Court after a federal appeals court panel upheld a ruling by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon that temporarily blocked above-ground construction. The appeals court decision, issued on August 7, came after the National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to stop the project, arguing that President Trump lacks authority to demolish the East Wing of the White House and build the ballroom without congressional approval.
Solicitor General D. John Sauer, representing the administration, told the Supreme Court that the lower court’s order was “extraordinary and unlawful” and would “halt the ongoing construction of the integrated military complex, including a totally secure ballroom space, at the East Wing of the White House, which is vitally required by national security.” The administration contends that Congress has already authorized the project twice over—by authorizing presidents to make “alterations” and “improvements” to the White House, and by broadly authorizing the executive to construct buildings in national parks.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation countered that the administration is attempting to “outrun judicial review” rather than obtain proper congressional authorization. In filings with the Supreme Court, trust attorneys argued that “no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have.” They noted that 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.”
The ballroom project began in July 2025 and has proceeded rapidly, with the administration reporting the work is approximately 65 percent complete. The construction involves a 250-person crew working 20 hours a day, seven days a week. The administration also states that the underground portion of the project includes critical military facilities—bomb shelters, a hospital, sniper nests, and a drone port—that are essential for protecting the president and the White House complex.
The preservation group asked the Supreme Court to halt Trump’s White House ballroom on Tuesday, three days before the Supreme Court’s ruling. Judge Leon’s original order had allowed underground construction to continue while blocking above-ground work, but the temporary stay issued by the Supreme Court removes that restriction.
The case represents a clash over presidential power and the separation of powers. The appeals court majority, in a 2-1 decision, concluded that Congress—not the president—has exclusive authority to regulate the construction and demolition of White House structures. The dissenting judge argued that the National Trust lacks legal standing to sue and that the president has inherent power to make improvements to his residence.
Public opinion on the project has remained largely skeptical. An April poll from the Washington Post, ABC News, and Ipsos showed that 56 percent of Americans did not approve of Trump’s decision to demolish the East Wing and construct the ballroom. The project has also involved closing off access to the north side of the White House and Lafayette Park, which were previously open to the public.
Sources
- NPR — Supreme Court ruling allowing ballroom construction to continue, cost estimates, National Trust for Historic Preservation lawsuit, Judge Richard Leon’s ruling, appeals court decision, construction timeline, and public polling on the project.
- SCOTUSblog — Trump administration’s emergency application to the Supreme Court, Solicitor General Sauer’s arguments regarding congressional authorization, National Trust’s standing to sue, appeals court panel decision, and details on construction progress (65% complete).
- PBS News/Associated Press — National Trust for Historic Preservation’s response filing with the Supreme Court, arguments that administration is “outrunning judicial review,” claims of lack of statutory authority, and details on the 90,000-square-foot ballroom and underground military facilities.
