The US Supreme Court granted an emergency administrative stay on August 21, allowing construction of President Donald Trump's White House ballroom project to proceed temporarily despite a lower court order halting it [1, 2, 3]. Chief Justice John Roberts signed the stay as the high court considers an appeal challenging the construction halt [1, 2, 3].
The ballroom project, estimated at $400 million, began construction in 2025 after demolishing the former East Wing of the White House [1, 2, 3]. The new ballroom will span roughly 8,400 square meters (90,000 square feet) [1].
Lower courts ruled the project requires congressional approval and ordered work suspended until that authorization is granted [1, 3]. Heritage preservation groups have filed legal challenges opposing the construction [2, 3].
The Trump administration has defended the project as critical to national security. Donald Trump described the ballroom as "bulletproof, drone-proof, missile-proof in many cases, and beautiful at the same time" [3].
Trump first proposed the ballroom during the Obama administration in 2010 but pursued it vigorously after resuming the presidency in 2025 [1].
The Supreme Court's temporary stay allows construction to continue as it reviews the legal issues involved. A final decision on the appeal could be months away [1, 2, 3].
