Lower courts ordered the construction work stopped, saying the project needed congressional approval.
The Trump administration on Aug. 14 asked the Supreme Court to let construction of the White House ballroom resume after lower courts ruled the project requires congressional approval.
Construction on the project, which calls for building a 90,000-square-foot ballroom, began in September 2025. Building it required demolishing the East Wing, which President Donald Trump said was too small and in poor shape. The project is expected to cost about $400 million, all of which is expected to be funded by private donors.
The emergency application for an immediate stay was filed with Chief Justice John Roberts. It is unclear when the court will act.
U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer said in the court filing that the matter was of urgent importance because the federal district court’s preliminary injunction that would halt most above-ground work on the project is scheduled to take effect on Aug. 21.
The above-ground work includes the actual ballroom structure and a new East Wing building. The below-ground work, which is not currently blocked, includes a national security complex with bunkers, bomb shelters, and subterranean infrastructure related to continuity of government and presidential security.
“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,” he said.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit affirmed the district court ruling on Aug. 7, but paused the ruling for 14 days to give the federal government an opportunity to appeal.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
