Trump Administration Appeals to Supreme Court Over White House Ballroom Construction

The Trump administration has approached the U.S. Supreme Court, requesting permission to continue construction on a $400 million ballroom project despite an earlier ruling to halt the work. The appeal followed a decision by a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, pausing the project due to a lack of Congress approval.

Chief Justice John Roberts has set a deadline for Tuesday for plaintiffs to respond who are contesting the construction. The main contention is that President Trump does not possess unilateral authority to erect a 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the White House grounds, specifically where the East Wing was previously located. The appeals court allowed a two-week window for the administration to challenge its ruling.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer argues the importance of the project, citing its necessity for national security. He called the injunction “extraordinary and unlawful,” and mentioned specific security needs after a missile threat against Air Force One prompted secretive actions involving President Trump.

The project, claimed to be under budget and financed through private donations, faces opposition from Democrats who suspect indirect taxpayer funding from the president’s tax cuts bill. The administration has sought, without success, additional congressional funding for the project.

A previous district court ruling allowed for underground work, including bunkers, but paused aboveground construction. The 2-1 decision supported historic preservationists’ opposition, emphasizing that the decision belongs to Congress. Judge Neomi Rao, however, dissented, arguing the plaintiffs lacked the right to sue.

The Trump administration maintains that presidential authority encompasses renovations of critical public buildings like the White House. The Justice Department contends that the National Trust for Historic Preservation lacks standing in the case. The administration criticized attempts to thwart judicial review and the swift pace of construction.

The ballroom project, under construction for ten months, is reported to be 65% complete. The Justice Department sees the injunction as disruptive, emphasizing that current construction is essential for White House security.