President Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court to let construction of a new White House ballroom continue while his administration appeals lower court rulings that have limited the work. In an emergency filing, the Solicitor General urged the justices to pause a recent appellate decision so crews can keep building a structure described as a ballroom in place of the demolished East Wing, CBS News reported. The Washington Post said work is scheduled to stop unless the Court steps in.
Both outlets reported that the request follows a recent ruling by a divided panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which affirmed a district judge’s limits on above‑ground work and said congressional approval may be required. The appeals court gave the administration a short window to seek relief from the Supreme Court. According to CBS News, the district court and the appellate panel have allowed underground work tied to a new security bunker and medical facilities to continue, but they blocked above‑ground construction of the ballroom while the lawsuit proceeds.
In the filing, the Solicitor General argued that stopping the project would create security risks for the president and staff, citing recent threats, and described the renovations as necessary, according to CBS News. The Washington Post reported that the Justice Department also submitted renderings, photographs and affidavits from senior officials to support the security case. The Post added that a senior homeland security adviser warned that halting work would leave the complex more vulnerable, according to the outlet.
The filings also emphasized how far construction has advanced. The administration said the project is substantially complete, describing extensive below‑ and above‑ground work, CBS News reported. The Post said a sizable workforce had been putting in long hours to speed the job.
The legal fight began after the National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to stop the project. A district judge largely halted above‑ground construction, ruling that the administration needed explicit approval from Congress and clarifying that only subterranean work deemed necessary for safety could continue. The Post reported that a recent appeals decision echoed that view and criticized the administration’s approach to funding. CBS News reported that, according to court records, private donations were routed through a nonprofit to the National Park Service and then placed into an account typically used for minor White House repairs.
Money and scope are central to the case. Both outlets noted the administration has described the project as a multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar overhaul, and CBS News reported the president said he raised the funds from private donors, including major companies. The Supreme Court could be asked to decide whether to allow construction to proceed during the appeal or keep the brakes on above‑ground work while broader questions about presidential authority and federal spending are resolved.
Why it matters
This case tests where a president’s power to modify and secure the White House ends and Congress’s control over federal property and spending begins. It also raises practical questions about relying on private money for high‑profile government projects. The Court’s decision on whether work can continue during the appeal could shape what’s possible at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue — and how quickly it happens — for this and future administrations.