Supreme Court lets Trump resume White House ballroom construction — but conservative justice slams ‘unlawful’ project

Construction on the new White House ballroom can continue, the Supreme Court ruled Monday in a victory for President Trump.

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Trump trumpeted the decision. 

“I am pleased to report that the United States Supreme Court has just ruled in favor of the Ballroom/Military Complex being built without any further contingency, doubt, or threat,” he wrote on Truth Social.

“We are living in the Golden Age of America, and this Building will be one of the Greatest ever constructed in Washington, D.C.” 

The court, in a 5-4 decision, rejected a challenge from the National Trust for Historic Preservation seeking to halt the massive project, which is slated to cost at least $400 million.

In an unsigned majority opinion, the court said the trust does not have legal standing to bring the lawsuit.

But the court did not rule on whether Trump has the authority to carry out the construction without congressional approval, which was the Trust’s argument to stop the ballroom.

“Today, we do not pass upon the legality of the government’s East Wing project. We conclude only that, based on the submissions before us, the government is likely to prevail in showing that the Trust lacks … standing to challenge the project in federal court,” the court said.

Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court’s three liberal justices in dissent and declared the construction was illegal.

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“Construction of the ballroom has proceeded apace for the better part of a year. That construction is likely unlawful,” Roberts wrote.

Federal law gives Congress control over federal property, including the White House grounds, but has also long allowed presidents to undertake the “care, maintenance, repair, alteration, refurbishment, and improvement … of the Executive Residence.”

It’s a major victory for the president as his rebuilding of Washington faces several lawsuits. Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH) is challenging his bid to renovate the Kennedy Center and other groups are trying to stop construction of his planned Arch at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Litigation over the president’s controversial ballroom is expected to continue but Monday’s ruling will likely give Trump time to finish the project. In court filings, lawyers for the administration said construction was already 65% complete.

The president has, in recent weeks, emphasized the security and military importance of the ballroom, which will include an underground bunker, a drone port on the roof, and a hospital complex. 

Crews are working 20 hours a day on the planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom. It’s expected to be completed in August 2028, according to court documents.

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