On August 15, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court, requesting a stay of an appellate ruling that halted construction of the ballroom in the East Wing of the White House until the underlying lawsuit is fully resolved.
In its filing, the DOJ argued that continuing construction is necessary for national security. “This case concerns an extraordinary and unlawful injunction that would halt construction of an integrated military complex, including a fully secured ballroom space in the East Wing of the White House, that is critically important to national security,” the DOJ wrote.
The move follows an August 7 ruling by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals requiring the administration to obtain congressional approval before proceeding with the controversial project. The appeals court set a deadline of August 21 to halt work but suspended enforcement of the injunction for 14 days to allow the DOJ time to appeal to the Supreme Court.
The appellate decision upheld an earlier ruling by District Court Judge Richard Leon, issued in April. Both rulings apply only to above-ground construction that would alter the existing appearance of the White House. “Whether to build a massive ballroom is a decision for Congress, not something the executive branch can decide on its own,” the panel of judges stated.
The lawsuit stems from December, when the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed suit after the Trump administration demolished the East Wing and began construction of the roughly 8,360-square-meter ballroom. Despite court rulings, Trump has repeatedly vowed to continue the project.
Project costs have soared beyond the president’s initial claims that the construction would be fully funded by outside donations. Trump and his allies argue the new ballroom is needed to host secure events following a series of assassination attempts. Critics, meanwhile, view the project as part of a broader effort by Trump to reshape the U.S. capital in his image, including plans for a massive triumphal arch.
After last week’s injunction, Trump publicly attacked the ruling, writing on social media: “This unjust decision must be completely overturned by the Supreme Court.” He also said the ballroom would include a bunker, medical facilities, protection against drones and missiles, and other security features “linked together in one large, costly, and very complex package.”
