Donald Trump has filed an emergency petition with the Supreme Court asking that the construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House continue despite a two‑week stop‑order issued by an appeals court.
The construction was halted after an appeals court ruled that the administration must seek congressional approval before proceeding. The court upheld a decision won by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sued the White House last year for violating historic‑preservation guidelines.
Trump argues the ballroom is essential for hosting large events and improving security, and that it could serve as a bomb shelter and medical‑treatment center.
U.S. Solicitor General David Sauer has filed a brief claiming that stopping the work would be “dangerous construction‑by‑injunction.” He says the project is 65% complete and that a stop‑order could amount to impossible inequity.
The Supreme Court’s decision is pending, and the appeals court’s stop‑order will take effect on 21 August unless the Court grants the emergency application.
Trump says the ballroom is funded entirely by private corporate donations, arguing that no taxpayer money is involved and therefore congressional approval is unnecessary.
The ballroom project is part of a broader Trump initiative to remodel Washington, including the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and a proposed “Arc de Trump” inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Critics say the administration has sidestepped mandatory review and public‑comment processes for all of these projects, a claim Trump denies.
