Washington — On Friday, Chief Justice John Roberts signed a one‑page emergency order that keeps construction on President Donald Trump’s proposed White House ballroom moving forward. The order will stay in effect until the Supreme Court issues a more permanent ruling on the administration’s request to intervene in the lawsuits challenging the project.
Legal backdrop
The temporary order arrives just hours before lower‑court decisions would have halted all above‑ground work because the project lacks congressional approval. The administration argues that the president has full authority to renovate the White House and other federal buildings, citing national‑security concerns. When the plan was first announced, Trump said the $400 million ballroom would be funded by private donations, including his own.
Preservation group opposition
The National Trust for Historic Preservation contends that the president does not have unilateral power to undertake the work, which has already involved demolition of part of the East Wing. The group accused the White House of trying to “outrun the courts” by accelerating construction. A spokesperson for the Trust noted that Roberts’ order is not a final decision and that the group awaits further action.
Progress on the site
The administration reports that about 65 % of the 90,000‑square‑foot ballroom is complete. Crews are working around the clock, with roughly $200 million in private donations already spent or pledged, according to Justice Department filings. Earlier this year, a district court ordered a stop to above‑ground construction, a decision later upheld by an appeals panel. Judge Richard Leon allowed only underground work on bunkers and military installations.
Political implications
The case highlights ongoing debates over the limits of presidential power. The administration frames the project as vital to national security, while critics argue that such extensive renovations should be decided by Congress, not by executive self‑help. The Supreme Court’s full bench is expected to weigh in on whether construction can continue for the duration of the litigation.
Trump praised the Friday order on social media, stating the project is “under budget and ahead of schedule.”
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
