President Trump asks SCOTUS to approve White House Ballroom project
The White House Ballroom project, which includes a massive underground military bunker facility, has been halted by a federal appeals court. The president has now appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking their blessing to finish the project.
by Summer Lane | August 14, 2026
President Donald Trump has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow construction of the White House Ballroom to continue, as he seeks to remake the former East Wing of the People’s House into an extensive new addition.
The president’s request comes just one week after a federal appeals court blocked construction on the project, which includes a massive underground military structure beneath the ballroom, according to Trump.
“The Military and Secret Service are viewing this horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful ruling as a National Security threat to our Nation in that the entire Complex is being built for the protection of our Country and, additionally, all future Presidents,” President Trump said last week in a fiery statement.
In the filing, the Trump administration asked for an immediate pause on the lower court’s injunction blocking the construction of the ballroom. The block has been temporarily paused for 14 days to allow the president to seek relief at the Supreme Court. It will go back into effect on August 21, per the court documents.
Chief Justice John Roberts has requested that the plaintiffs in the case respond by noon on Tuesday to the Trump administration’s filing. The plaintiffs are the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Since the project’s beginning, the construction of the new ballroom, which included the demolition of the East Wing, has been mired in legal drama. The Supreme Court will have the last word.
It’s unclear what would happen if the high court ruled that the president must stop construction – would the East Wing demolition site remain in a state of disarray? Would the site be allowed to be landscaped or beautified?
“The entire Complex, Military and all, is largely built, fabricated, and paid for,” President Trump argued last week. “Much is already on site, or being delivered. Why didn’t they bring this case long prior to construction starting? There will be no expense to the American Taxpayer. This unjust decision must be overturned by the Supreme Court in its entirety.”
Photo: Pixabay
