The US Supreme Court issued a 5-4 ruling on Monday, clearing the path for the Trump administration to continue work on a $400 million ballroom project at the White House. The decision overturns lower court rulings that had sought to stop the construction of the above-ground portion of the facility.

The legal challenge was initiated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which contended that the president lacked the unilateral authority to authorize the project. The organization argued that the construction caused irreversible damage to a historic landmark. The case relied on a declaration from board member Alison Hoagland, who claimed the project would inflict personal and professional harm regarding her aesthetic and historical interests.

In their unsigned order, the five justices in the majority stated that the lower courts had likely overstepped their authority. They further noted that the preservation group lacked the necessary standing to sue the government and that the administration had demonstrated it would suffer irreparable harm if the construction were halted. The White House indicated that the 90,000-square-foot ballroom is expected to be substantially finished by November, with full completion slated for August 2028.

Advertisement

Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court's three liberal justices in dissent. Roberts argued that the project is likely unlawful due to a lack of congressional approval and stated that the injuries cited by the preservation group were sufficient to warrant a legal challenge. "Today's decision is no victory for the separation of powers," Roberts wrote.

President Trump welcomed the ruling, describing the lawsuit as "baseless" and asserting that the ballroom is necessary for security and event space. The project is part of a broader series of infrastructure plans initiated by the president, which also include a helipad on the South Lawn, renovations to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and a proposed monument larger than the Arc de Triomphe.

Source: BBC News