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President Donald Trump’s administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to permit continued construction of a $400 million White House ballroom, following an appeals court ruling that halted the project due to missing congressional approval.
The Justice Department filed an emergency request asking the justices to suspend a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit while government lawyers prepare a full appeal.
Justice Department attorneys argued that national security demands the immediate completion of the 90,000-square-foot facility, citing recent assassination attempts against the president.
In their filing, lawyers described the project as an “integrated military complex” featuring bomb shelters, medical facilities, and drone defences.
President Trump echoed these claims on Truth Social, condemning the D.C. Circuit’s decision as “horrendous” and politically motivated while asserting that construction delays leave White House officials and visitors exposed to attack.
The legal battle began last year when the National Trust for Historic Preservation sued the administration for demolishing the East Wing without legislative authorisation.
On August 7, the D.C. Circuit ruled 2-1 to block above-ground construction until Congress formally approves the building, writing that national security arguments “are not an automatic get-out-of-law-free card.”
The panel granted a 14-day stay to allow the administration time to challenge the decision at the Supreme Court.
