The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for President Donald Trump to resume the $400 million White House ballroom construction, overturning a lower‑court injunction that said congressional approval was required, and set a timetable that could see the 90,000‑square‑foot structure framed by November and completed by August 2028.
The decision follows a 5‑4 ruling that lifted a temporary stay issued earlier this month, after federal judges had halted above‑ground work in April while allowing underground military construction to proceed; the administration says the project is vital for national security and is being built around the clock.
Preservationists argue the president has no unilateral authority to undertake the demolition and construction, while the court's split decision underscores the ongoing dispute over executive power versus congressional oversight, with the case now returning to lower courts for further review.
The dispute centers on whether the president may proceed without congressional approval, with the preservation group asserting executive overreach and the administration insisting the work is essential for national security, leaving the legal basis for the project unsettled.