Trump Asks Supreme Court to Allow $400M White House Ballroom Project
Key Points
- The Department of Justice filed an emergency request with the Supreme Court on Friday to overturn an August 7 appeals court injunction halting the $400M ballroom construction.
- The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled Trump administration must seek congressional approval before continuing above-ground work that changes the White House's visible characteristics.
- Judge Richard Leon issued the initial April order halting the project; the appeals court set an August 21 deadline for construction to stop unless Congress authorizes it.
District Court Judge Richard Leon had previously issued a similar order in April halting the project. The appeals court panel wrote: "Whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for Executive self-help."
The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed the lawsuit in December after the Trump administration demolished the White House's East Wing and began construction on the 90,000 square-foot ballroom. Trump has repeatedly insisted the project will continue despite court rulings against it.
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Trump responded to the appeals court's August 7 decision by stating: "This unjust decision must be overturned by the Supreme Court in its entirety." He has argued the ballroom is needed to host secure events and would include bomb shelters, medical facilities, and protection from drones and missiles.
The cost of the project has grown beyond Trump's initial claims that it would be funded solely through outside donations, with the expense now borne by US taxpayers. The ballroom construction is part of broader White House renovation plans Trump has advanced since taking office.
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The Supreme Court's decision on the DOJ's stay request will determine whether construction can resume while litigation continues or whether work must halt pending congressional action.
What Happens Next
The Supreme Court is likely to rule on the stay request before the August 21 deadline. If the Court grants the stay, construction resumes while litigation proceeds. If denied, work must halt unless Congress approves. A Supreme Court decision on the merits could take months, but the immediate question of whether ground work can continue during legal proceedings will be resolved within days.
Sources: Al Jazeera and other international news outlets.
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