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Supreme Court allows Trump's ballroom construction to continue for now
NPR • • general
Key Points:
- The Supreme Court ruled that President Trump can proceed with construction of a $300 million ballroom on the former East Wing of the White House without needing Congressional approval, at least temporarily.
- The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to stop the project, arguing that congressional approval is required, but the Supreme Court stayed lower court rulings that had attempted to halt construction.
- The 90,000-square-foot ballroom is intended to address space shortages for hosting events and is claimed by Trump to include national security features such as bomb shelters, a hospital, sniper nests, and a drone port.
- Construction began in July, causing public access restrictions around the White House, and polling indicates a majority of Americans disapprove of the project and Trump's broader efforts to alter the capital.
- The legal battle has involved conflicting rulings from lower courts, with the Supreme Court's brief order allowing construction to continue while the case proceeds.
