Preservation Group Asks Supreme Court to Halt White House Ballroom Work

A historic preservation group that sued to block construction of a White House ballroom asked the Supreme Court on Tuesday to suspend the project while the case proceeds.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed its request less than a week after the Trump administration asked the court to let construction on the $400 million ballroom continue during the appeals process.

Trust attorneys accused the administration of trying to "outrun judicial review" instead of seeking permission from Congress, as they argue federal law requires. The administration "cannot identify any statute granting them 'express authority' to destroy a third of the White House and replace it with a massive, privately funded ballroom, because none exists," the trust's lawyers wrote.

Construction on the 90,000-square-foot ballroom has included demolishing the East Wing and includes an underground facility the administration says is necessary to protect the president.

The request follows a divided federal appeals court panel that upheld an order pausing aboveground work, though that ruling was itself put on hold to allow the administration to appeal. The underlying order came from U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, who wrote that "no statute comes close to giving the president the authority he claims to have."

The administration argues the president has unimpeded authority to renovate the White House without congressional or judicial interference, and says the unfinished construction site is itself a security risk. It also disputes that the trust has legal standing to sue.

Trust lawyers said the injunction is "already narrowly tailored, and limited in scope and duration," and noted it allows the administration to keep building the underground military facility meant to protect the president and his staff.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer, representing the administration, asked the court to rule before the appeals panel's decision takes effect Friday, calling the injunction "extraordinary and unlawful."

The ballroom has been under construction for 10 months and is roughly 65% complete, according to the administration.