The Trump administration is making a final appeal to the Supreme Court to allow the completion of a controversial White House ballroom project, warning of unacceptable security risks if construction is halted. A court order preventing most above-ground construction is set to take effect at the end of the week.
Solicitor General John Sauer argued in a filing on Wednesday that the project, described as a "military complex," is "required by national security" and that judges should not second-guess presidential decisions on such matters. He stated that the structure, a 90,000-square-foot ballroom initiated in late 2025, will provide a "safe room" for the presidency and continuity of government.
The government claims the project is now 65% complete, with a crew working around the clock. It asserts that seeking congressional approval for the construction would infringe upon presidential power and create a vulnerability for the White House.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which brought the legal challenge, contends that the administration is exaggerating security concerns and attempting to complete the project to evade judicial review. The Trust maintains that the injunction only stops the construction of the ballroom without prior congressional approval, not essential security work or site securing.
Federal law grants Congress control over federal property, including the White House, but also permits presidents to undertake the "care, maintenance, repair, alteration, refurbishment, and improvement" of the Executive Residence. The administration argues that the National Trust lacks the standing to challenge construction operations based on aesthetic objections.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule on a request for a stay by the end of the week. The dispute centers on the balance of presidential power and congressional oversight in federal construction projects.