Chief Justice John Roberts issued an order on Friday temporarily allowing construction to continue on a White House ballroom. The administrative stay halts a lower court ruling that would have required all above-ground work on the project to stop by the end of the day.
The decision comes after the Trump administration filed an emergency plea asking the Supreme Court to intervene in the matter. A lower court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, had previously ruled in favor of a challenge brought by The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which argued the project lacked necessary congressional authorization.
Chief Justice Roberts, who handles emergency matters from the District of Columbia, did not provide an explanation for the stay. The order is intended to provide the court time to review the administration's appeal and does not indicate a final decision on the legal merits of the case. The Justice Department argued the 90,000-square-foot project is necessary for security following threats and shootings near President Trump.
The scale of the project involves a significant addition to the executive residence grounds, funded by private donations according to the Trump administration. The National Trust for Historic Preservation argues that the executive branch is attempting to bypass the constitutional role of Congress, which typically authorizes major changes to historic federal landmarks. The outcome will determine whether the administration can proceed with large-scale structural changes to the White House without a specific vote or funding appropriation from federal lawmakers.
The legal proceedings center on whether a private interest group has the standing to sue the government over the management of historic sites. Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued that allowing the suit could permit millions of visitors to government buildings or parks to seek judicial intervention based on personal dislikes. A final decision from the Supreme Court will establish a precedent for how future administrations authorize construction on federal property using non-public funds. A specific date for the full court's vote or a final ruling has not yet been announced.