The Trump administration has requested the Supreme Court intervene to allow construction of a White House ballroom to proceed, seeking an emergency stay of a lower court's injunction. The injunction, set to take effect on August 21, pauses substantial above-ground construction of the East Wing and ballroom pending the outcome of litigation over its legality.
Solicitor General John Sauer argued that the injunction is "extraordinary and unlawful," posing a risk to the safety of the president, his family, staff, and visitors. He stated that allowing a single district judge to determine necessary construction for presidential safety would override the judgment of top military, intelligence, and law enforcement officials.
Construction of a helipad and ballroom at the White House.
A district court had previously ruled that President Donald Trump lacks the authority to alter the White House without congressional approval, a decision upheld by a divided federal appeals court.
In the appeal to the Supreme Court, Sauer cited six "recent assassination attempts," including a missile threat against Air Force One on July 8, to underscore the national security justifications for the construction and the risks associated with halting it. He asserted that the president, as the head of the Executive Branch, has been authorized by Congress to renovate and secure the White House.
The government contends it has a strong likelihood of prevailing on appeal, arguing the National Trust for Historic Preservation lacks standing and that federal law permits presidents to undertake alterations and improvements to the White House.
The Supreme Court is expected to solicit a response from the National Trust for Historic Preservation within the next week before deciding on the stay. The administration also plans to ask the court for expedited oral argument and a decision on the merits of the case.
According to the government's filing, the project is approximately 65% complete, with $200 million spent or committed. A crew of 250 individuals is reportedly working 20 hours a day, seven days a week. The structure is described as five stories deep and 70 feet above ground, spanning 50,000 square feet. The administration claims the project is on schedule and under budget, requiring no taxpayer funds, though it does not address a separate $1 billion funding request to Congress for White House security enhancements.
Senate Democrats have formally requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) audit the project and its funding, citing concerns about transparency, accountability, and the stewardship of the historic landmark due to the project's scale, destruction of historic architecture, and unconventional funding sources.
Sworn declarations from senior government officials, including the Secretary of State, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and heads of the FBI and Secret Service, were included in the filing to emphasize the national security justifications. One White House official stated that the construction's current phase, with its concrete-and-steel superstructure, is "beyond the point of no return," making a safe halt or alteration of the building impossible if the injunction were to be enforced.