Supreme Court continues to allow construction of Trump's White House ballroom
Updated on: August 31, 2026 / 9:52 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- The Supreme Court allowed construction of a new 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom to proceed.
- The decision halted lower court rulings that had temporarily blocked the project.
- The majority found that the National Trust for Historic Preservation likely lacked standing to sue.
- Chief Justice John Roberts and liberal justices dissented, arguing the project is likely unlawful and Congress has not authorized it.
- The Trump administration cited national security concerns and assassination plots as reasons for the ballroom's necessity and urgency.
- The project is reportedly 65% complete and funded by private donations.
- The National Trust for Historic Preservation stated the ruling does not resolve the fundamental argument that Congress, not the President, has unilateral authority over federal property.