The Trump administration on Friday filed an emergency application with the U.S. Supreme Court to allow continued construction of a $400 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom and security complex at the White House. The request came just hours after a divided federal appeals court ruled that President Donald Trump lacked congressional authorization to proceed with aboveground construction of the East Wing Ballroom project.
The administration’s filing asserts that the project is 65% complete and that halting construction would interfere with security improvements at the White House. The ballroom and associated facilities are described in court documents as an integrated structure including bomb shelters, sniper positions, missile-resistant construction, and facilities extending five stories underground. The administration has framed the project as a national security necessity, with senior officials arguing it is vital to protecting the president, their families, staff, and Cabinet members.
President Trump’s Response
On Friday evening, Trump took to Truth Social to accuse the National Trust for Historic Preservation—the group suing to halt the project—of being “TREASONISTS” who “revealed Top Military Secrets” by challenging the construction. Trump claimed the group had been shown detailed plans for the facility by military and Secret Service officials but pursued the lawsuit despite warnings about its classified nature. He stated the project is essential for the “Safety of all Presidents of the United States, both current and future.”
Legal and Political Context
The appeals court had temporarily paused its ruling, giving the administration time to seek relief from the Supreme Court. Chief Justice John Roberts has asked the National Trust to respond by Tuesday. The administration’s public filing describes the ballroom as part of an integrated military complex, with Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine calling it a “valid military requirement” necessary for command-and-control capabilities.
Opposing Perspectives
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has not directly addressed Trump’s accusations but previously disputed similar claims. In April, the Trust told a federal judge it was not privy to details of the underground structure because administration officials had declined to share classified information beyond public court claims. Gregory Craig, representing the Trust, stated that the administration’s assertion that the lawsuit placed Trump’s life at “grave risk” was unsupported.
The administration has also argued that the ballroom is necessary for hosting foreign dignitaries, citing “unsafe and unsanitary portable bathrooms” at current temporary facilities. The project’s scope includes a rooftop “DronePort,” further emphasizing its security-focused design.
Background and Timeline
The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued the Trump administration in December 2025, alleging the president did not follow proper regulatory or authorization channels or timeline when beginning construction. Both the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and the federal appeals court sided with the preservation group before the administration sought Supreme Court intervention.