Supreme Court Allows Continuation of White House Ballroom Construction
In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court lifted lower-court blocks on the White House ballroom project, while Chief Justice John Roberts dissented, citing likely unlawful construction without congressional approval.
The U.S. Supreme Court issued an unsigned order permitting the continuation of a $400 million ballroom project at the White House, overturning lower-court injunctions that had halted work on the above-ground portion. The 5-4 ruling granted the administration’s emergency request, with the majority finding that the lower courts had likely exceeded their authority and that the National Trust for Historic Preservation lacked standing to sue. The Court also noted the administration could demonstrate a risk of irreparable harm if construction were stopped.
Chief Justice John Roberts joined the three liberal justices in dissent, writing that the construction is likely unlawful because Congress has not authorized the project. He indicated that the preservation group’s claimed injuries were sufficient to allow the lawsuit to proceed.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which challenged the project, argued that the president does not have unilateral authority to demolish and redesign parts of the White House without congressional approval and expressed disappointment with the ruling, while welcoming Roberts’ dissent.
The White House says the 90,000-square-foot ballroom is expected to be substantially finished by November and fully completed by August 2028. The administration has cited the need for additional event space and security considerations as reasons for the construction.