The Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for President Donald Trump to continue construction of a massive ballroom at the White House, rejecting a preservation group’s effort to halt the controversial project.
The 5-4 decision found that the National Trust for Historic Preservation likely lacked legal standing to challenge the construction. The court did not rule on whether the ballroom itself is lawful.
Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court’s three liberal justices in dissent. In an opinion sharply criticizing the majority, Roberts said the project was “likely unlawful.”
“The White House is not just any building,” Roberts wrote, arguing that the majority had failed to recognize the constitutional and legal interests at stake.
The ruling is a significant victory for Trump, whose administration has been moving ahead with construction of the nearly 90,000-square-foot ballroom despite the ongoing litigation.
Trump has described the project as an important part of his presidential legacy and argued that the ballroom is needed for national security. He has said it will include advanced security features designed to protect the White House from potential attacks.
The National Trust had sought to stop construction indefinitely while challenging the administration’s handling of the project.
The Supreme Court’s decision leaves those broader legal questions unresolved. Instead, the justices focused on whether the preservation group had the right to bring the case in the first place.
Roberts argued that the majority’s approach allows the executive branch to potentially infringe on Congress’ authority over federal spending and property.
“In failing to appreciate as much, the court misconceives the plaintiff’s injury,” Roberts wrote.
With construction allowed to continue, the administration is likely to gain valuable time to advance the project while the remaining legal challenges proceed.
