Key facts
- The Trump administration is appealing an appeals court ruling that halted construction of a $400 million White House ballroom.
- The appeals court ruled that the project requires Congressional approval.
- The administration has asked the Supreme Court to keep the ruling on hold while it prepares a full appeal.
- The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued over the project, arguing it lacks legal standing.
- The demolition of the East Wing for the ballroom is the largest structural change to the White House in over 70 years.
President Donald Trump's administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow construction of a $400 million White House ballroom to continue, following an appeals court ruling that required Congressional approval for the project. The administration filed a request with the Supreme Court to keep the D.C. Circuit's ruling on hold while it prepares a full appeal.
The appeals court, in a 2-1 decision, upheld a preliminary injunction blocking above-ground construction, stating that the President, as a temporary tenant, cannot fundamentally reshape the White House without congressional approval. Judges Patricia Millett and Brad Garcia, appointed by Democratic presidents, wrote that the decision does not permanently bar construction but halts above-ground work until Congress grants approval.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued over the project, arguing that the proposed ballroom's size and design would diminish enjoyment of the area. Judge Neomi Rao, appointed by Trump, dissented, arguing that the plaintiffs lack legal standing. Legal experts suggest Trump may prevail on the standing issue at the Supreme Court, as the National Trust must demonstrate a concrete injury.
Work on the 90,000-square-foot ballroom began last year with the demolition of the East Wing, the largest structural change to the White House in over 70 years. White House lawyers argued the ballroom includes critical security features, but the majority of the appeals court rejected this, stating national security arguments are not an automatic g