Trump Asks Supreme Court to Intervene in White House Ballroom Legal Fight

The Trump administration petitioned the Supreme Court on Friday seeking emergency relief to allow construction of a 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the White House East Wing, one week after a federal appeals court ruled the White House lacked authority to build the $400 million project without congressional approval. Solicitor General D. John Sauer framed the project as essential to presidential safety, contending that "any delay threatens President Trump's safety after recent domestic and international assassination plots against him." In his filing, Sauer wrote: "This case involves an extraordinary and unlawful injunction that will halt the ongoing construction of the integrated military complex, including a totally secure ballroom space, at the East Wing of the White House, which is vitally required by national security." Sauer argued the president is not merely a tenant of the White House but "the sole, elected head of the Executive Branch" authorized to renovate and secure the building without exception, asserting Congress previously authorized such work.