The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed an emergency petition with the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday seeking suspension of the White House ballroom construction project while legal challenges proceed. The request came shortly after the Trump administration asked the nation’s highest court to allow work on the $400 million renovation to continue during the appeals process.
The preservation group’s attorneys argued that the administration lacks statutory authority to undertake the demolition and reconstruction work without congressional authorization. In court filings, trust lawyers stated 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.” The project involves demolishing the East Wing and constructing a 90,000-square-foot ballroom, along with an underground military facility.
The administration contends that the president possesses inherent authority to renovate the White House without seeking approval from Congress or the courts. Justice Department representatives argued that maintaining the construction site in its current condition creates security challenges for the White House complex. The administration also contested whether the preservation group has legal standing to challenge the project.
A federal appeals court panel had previously upheld an order pausing aboveground construction, though the suspension was itself stayed to allow the administration to seek Supreme Court review. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, appointed by Republican President George W. Bush, had ruled that no statute provided the president with the claimed renovation authority. The preservation group asserted that the current injunction appropriately balances concerns by allowing underground military construction to proceed while halting aboveground work.
Chief Justice John Roberts set Tuesday as the deadline for the preservation group’s written response, with Solicitor General D. John Sauer requesting a Supreme Court ruling before the appeals court decision takes effect on Friday. The administration described the case as involving “an extraordinary and unlawful injunction” that impedes construction of facilities deemed necessary for national security. The ballroom project has been under construction for 10 months and is approximately 65% complete, according to the administration.
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