Chief Justice Roberts Allows Trump Ballroom Work to Proceed for Now

Chief Justice John Roberts has issued a temporary order permitting the White House to continue construction on President Donald Trump's $400 million ballroom project, pending the Supreme Court's review of an emergency appeal from the administration.

The order, signed on Friday, stays a lower court ruling that had halted the project, which required congressional approval. That ruling was scheduled to take effect on Friday. Roberts oversees appeals arising from Washington-based cases.

The dispute reaches the high court amid broader assertions of presidential power by Trump, who has sought to reshape the capital. The administration has secured several emergency victories on the court's docket, though some of its signature policies have been struck down after full review.

Administration lawyers argue the president has complete authority to renovate the White House and other federal buildings, and that the ballroom project is essential for national security. However, when Trump first announced the plans, he did not cite security concerns, instead saying the project would be funded by private donations, including his own.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which challenged the project, contends that Trump lacks unilateral authority to demolish the East Wing and build the ballroom. The group's lawyers accuse the administration of trying to "outrun the courts" by accelerating work.

According to Justice Department filings, about 65% of the 90,000-square-foot ballroom has been completed, with crews working 20 hours a day, seven days a week. Roughly $200 million in private donations has been spent or committed.

A district court judge had ordered a halt to aboveground construction in April, but allowed belowground work on bunkers and military installations to continue. An appeals court panel upheld that order, with two judges appointed by Democratic presidents ruling that the project is a matter for Congress, not "Executive self-help." A third judge, appointed by Trump, found the preservation group lacked legal standing.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer echoed that argument, calling the halt "extraordinary and unlawful" and stressing that completing the project is "vitally required by national security."