Trump Administration Asks US Supreme Court to Lift Injunction on $400m White House Ballroom Project

Artist renderings of the new White House East Wing and ballroom, March 31, 2026 [Jon Elswick/AP Photo]

The administration of United States President Donald Trump has officially asked the Supreme Court to allow construction on his $400m ballroom to move forward. On Friday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) submitted a request to the nation's highest court seeking a stay on a lower court’s injunction that had temporarily halted building efforts amidst ongoing litigation.

The DOJ defended the project by arguing that construction on the ballroom, which has been a persistent focus for Donald Trump, is critically necessary for security reasons.

“This case involves an extraordinary and unlawful injunction that will halt the ongoing construction of the integrated military complex, including a totally secure ballroom space, at the East Wing of the White House, which is vitally required by national security,” the DOJ stated in the filing.

This appeal to the Supreme Court was widely anticipated. Previously, on August 7, a majority of judges on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ordered that construction on the controversial ballroom be stopped unless the government secured congressional approval, setting an enforcement deadline of August 21. However, that injunction was temporarily stayed for 14 days to provide the DOJ time to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The recent appeals court ruling upheld a prior order issued in April by District Court Judge Richard Leon. Much like the April decision, the appeals court ruling specifically targeted above-ground construction that alters the visible characteristics of the White House.

“Whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for Executive self-help,” the panel wrote in their decision.

The legal battle stems from a lawsuit filed in December by the National Trust for Historic Preservation after the Trump administration tore down the East Wing of the White House last year to begin construction on a 90,000sq ft (8,360sq m) ballroom.

Despite the legal hurdles, Donald Trump has repeatedly defied court rulings, maintaining that work on the ballroom will continue. Meanwhile, the cost of the project to US taxpayers has increased significantly, running contrary to early claims by Donald Trump that the endeavor would be funded entirely through outside donations.

Donald Trump and his supporters have contended that the new ballroom is required to host secure events following multiple failed assassination attempts. Conversely, critics have pointed out that the ballroom plans are part of a broader initiative by the president to alter the US capital in his own vision, which includes the proposed construction of a massive triumphal arch.

Following last week's injunction, Donald Trump strongly condemned the appeals court ruling regarding the ballroom construction. “This unjust decision must be overturned by the Supreme Court in its entirety,” Donald Trump wrote, adding that the completed ballroom will feature bomb shelters, medical facilities, drone and missile protection, and various other security measures integrated into a single, expensive, and complex unit.