Law & Justice
Trump White House ballroom appeal reaches Supreme Court
The Trump administration asked the US Supreme Court on Friday to let it complete a White House ballroom and underground bunker project that lower courts have blocked over lack of explicit congressional consent.
Solicitor General John Sauer filed an emergency appeal, arguing that the injunction was unlawful and that the project was needed for national security. He described it as an integrated military complex including a secure ballroom space at the East Wing.
President Donald Trump ordered the East Wing demolished last year to make way for the ballroom. An appeals court last week upheld a district court order halting the work, but paused its ruling so the administration could appeal.
The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit agreed with the lower court that a White House overhaul of that scale required Congress's explicit consent. Trump called the ruling “horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful” and said he would appeal to the Supreme Court.
Trump initially promoted the ballroom for galas and state dinners, but has since stressed an underground military bunker and other security features. He has insisted the ballroom will be privately financed, while media reports in June said significant taxpayer funds were going to the project, which could cost as much as $600 million.
Update
The administration says the project includes a secure underground bunker and other security features.
Solicitor General John Sauer argued in an emergency appeal that halting the project would stop construction of an integrated military complex needed for national security.
An appeals court upheld a district court order halting the work but paused its ruling to allow a Supreme Court appeal.
The DC Circuit agreed that a White House overhaul of this scale required explicit congressional consent.
Media reports in June said significant taxpayer funds were going to the project, which could cost as much as $600 million.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 August 2026 at 14:49:29 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the emergency appeal.
The final cost and balance between private and taxpayer funding remain unclear from the supplied information.
Source
AFP news report published on .