Supreme Court allows Trump's ballroom construction to proceed for now
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Construction continues on the East Wing ballroom at the White House on August 10 in Washington, DC. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
The Supreme Court ruled Friday that President Trump's sprawling ballroom project can proceed for now, despite a lower court's ruling that halted the administration's plans.
Why it matters: The decision is a major win for the administration, which has argued that demolishing the White House's East Wing and building the ballroom are necessary for security.
Driving the news: In a brief order, Chief Justice John Roberts paused the halt the D.C. District Court put on construction while the court weighs his request.
- It did not address the legality of Trump's project or give a timeline for when the court will weigh in.
What they're saying: "We are grateful for the Decision of the United States Supreme Court," President Trump said in a Friday post on Truth Social.
- "The Military/Ballroom Complex being built on the hallowed grounds of the White House, which is so vital for National Security, will be THE GREATEST OF ITS KIND!"
- "It is something that Presidents have wanted for 150 years, and that the Military has been seeking for the last 100 years. Their wish will soon be fulfilled! Construction is under budget and ahead of schedule."
Catch up quick: The administration turned to the Supreme Court after a divided federal appeals court panel blocked construction earlier this month, saying Trump needed congressional approval on the project.
- That court suspended its decision for two weeks to give Trump's team time to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Zoom in: "This case involves an extraordinary and unlawful injunction that will halt the ongoing construction of the integrated military complex, including a totally secure ballroom space, at the East Wing of the White House, which is vitally required by national security," Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued in the administration's petition to the justices.
- However, Judge Richard Leon clarified in April that while the government was barred from taking any action to develop the ballroom, his order allowed below-ground construction of national security facilities or work necessary to protect the site and the president.
- Still, Sauer urged the court to stay the injunction "for the sake of the President's safety, the continuity of government, and the separation of powers."
The big picture: The White House has pointed to the alleged plot against the White House's July UFC fight and the White House Correspondents' Dinner attack as evidence of a heightened threat environment that boosts the need for the ballroom.
- But Trump has long mused about adding a ballroom at the White House.
- Upon his return to office, he claimed the project wouldn't interfere with the current White House structure — but then the East Wing was knocked down and a fast-tracked process to build the ballroom began.
- A White House official wrote in a filing sent to the Supreme Court that the project is already 65% complete and that construction of the underground facilities is nearly finished.
Zoom out: The joint cost of the ballroom and underground bunker is projected to be at least $600 million, up $400 million from when the project was first announced.
- Trump originally said private donors would fund the ballroom, but the administration has asked Congress to use taxpayer dollars for security upgrades for the ballroom and other areas of the White House complex.
- Roughly $352 million in taxpayer dollars was redirected to the project in June from money allocated through the One Big Beautiful Bill.
Go deeper: New White House East Wing renderings reveal gold additions
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details throughout.
