Chief Justice John Roberts of the Supreme Court issued a temporary order on Friday allowing the White House to continue construction on President Donald Trump’s $400 million ballroom project. This decision comes as the Supreme Court reviews an emergency request from the Trump administration to intervene in ongoing lawsuits regarding the project. The order was issued just before lower court rulings would have halted aboveground construction due to a lack of congressional approval. The order will remain effective until the Supreme Court makes a more permanent ruling, although it does not provide details on Roberts' reasoning or a timeline for the next decision.
The case raises questions about the extent of presidential power, with the Trump administration asserting that the president has the authority to renovate the White House and other federal buildings as necessary, citing national security concerns as justification for the ballroom project. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has challenged this assertion, arguing that Trump lacks the unilateral authority to proceed with the work, which includes demolishing the East Wing. The organization has accused the White House of attempting to expedite construction to bypass the legal process.
As of now, approximately 65% of the ballroom construction has been completed, with crews reportedly working around the clock. The Trump administration claims that about $200 million in private donations has been allocated to the project. Previous court rulings had temporarily halted aboveground construction, allowing only belowground work to continue. The Supreme Court's eventual decision will determine whether construction can proceed during the ongoing litigation.