The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily lifted a freeze on the construction of a new White House ballroom, a project valued at $400 million. The decision, issued as an administrative stay by Chief Justice John Roberts, permits work to proceed while the high court deliberates on a legal challenge that seeks to halt the project permanently.
The stay remains in effect pending further consideration by the court. The case was brought by a preservation group that argues the construction will cause irreversible damage to the historic building unless stopped immediately. A federal appeals court had previously ordered work to halt, ruling that President Trump, as a "temporary tenant" of the White House, could not authorize such alterations without congressional approval.
The appeals court had given the administration two weeks to appeal its decision, leading to the emergency filing with the Supreme Court. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which is leading the lawsuit, acknowledged the administrative stay, emphasizing that it is not a final decision on the merits of the case.
President Trump has long advocated for the construction, stating that a larger events space is needed for state visits and large gatherings. He has also asserted that the project is vital for national security, citing the need for enhanced security features to protect the White House complex from potential threats such as drones, ballistic missiles, and biohazards. Government lawyers have echoed these security concerns in their arguments to the court.
Initially announced in July 2025 as a 650-person ballroom, revised plans later increased its capacity to approximately 1,000 people. The project also involves the demolition of the entire East Wing structure. Had the Supreme Court not issued the stay or ruled against the administration, construction would have been legally obligated to cease by Friday.