The Supreme Court ruled on Aug. 21 that President Donald Trump may continue construction on a $400 million White House ballroom while justices consider an appeal regarding a lower court’s attempt to pause the project.
Chief Justice John Roberts issued an order preventing the district court’s injunction from taking effect, effectively granting the administration additional time to present its case to the high court.
The project, which involves the construction of a 90,000-square-foot ballroom, has been a long-standing goal for President Trump. He has frequently expressed frustration that past White House events and state dinners were often relegated to tents, and he envisions the new space as a permanent solution for large-scale gatherings.
Trump, who has a background in real estate, has previously overseen several modifications to the White House grounds, including the replacement of the Rose Garden lawn with a paved patio and decorative updates to the Oval Office.
The Department of Justice argued in its appeal that the project is now 65% complete and has reached a stage where significant design alterations are no longer feasible. Government officials further emphasized that the structure includes an underground security complex designed to withstand nuclear impacts, meaning that any court-ordered halt or modification would be impossible to implement.
Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton characterized the structure as a critical "military center," stating it is essential for the secure gathering of the President and senior government officials.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which has challenged the project, warned the justices that the construction will become irreversible unless stopped immediately. The organization criticized the administration’s admission that the project is nearing completion, describing it as a "striking admission" that the government is attempting to outrun the judicial process.
The Trust has argued that the sheer size of the ballroom threatens to "overwhelm the White House itself" and that congressional approval was required for such a significant undertaking.
A federal appeals court had recently backed the district court’s move to pause the project in a 2-1 opinion, though it delayed the effect of that ruling to allow for an appeal. In that decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C.
Circuit described the White House as "the People’s House" and emphasized that Congress holds the responsibility to ensure security projects preserve the site's historical and architectural integrity.
However, Circuit Judge Neomi Rao dissented, arguing that the district court had improperly seized control over architectural decisions and should not force the government to rely on its approval to secure the President's home.
Trump appointed Rao to the court, while the two judges who upheld the district judge’s ruling—Patricia Millett and Brad Garcia—were appointed by Democratic presidents.
President Trump has maintained that the project is funded entirely by private donors rather than taxpayer funds. He indicated on Aug. 21 that he plans to release the names of the corporations and wealthy contributors behind the project within the coming weeks once he confirms their preferences. The administration expects construction to conclude a few months before the end of Trump's term.
"Most of them have said you could use my name gladly," he said. "No taxpayer money for the ballroom at all."
Because the materials being used are meant to withstand even nuclear blasts, there would be no way to take down or even alter the building if courts issued such an order at the end of the legal battle, according to the DOJ.
