Trump wins Supreme Court ruling to continue White House ballroom construction
Divided 5-4 court lifts stay despite a warning from Chief Justice Roberts that Trump’s project is ‘likely unlawful’
The US Supreme Court on Monday allowed President Donald Trump to continue construction of his White House ballroom, granting him a major victory as he works to leave a permanent mark on Washington.
The conservative-dominated court ruled 5-4 to lift a lower order demanding most construction be halted, saying that the plaintiff in the case likely did not have legal standing to sue.
Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court’s three liberals in dissenting, writing in an opinion that the major White House overhaul was “likely unlawful” due to the lack of congressional authorisation.
The decision means construction can continue for now, while a lawsuit brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation remains unresolved in lower courts.
The ballroom project is just one part of Trump’s second term push to reshape the US capital, which also includes renovation of Washington’s Reflecting Pool and erecting a huge triumphal arch.
Trump celebrated Monday’s decision, saying it meant the project could go forward “without any further contingency, doubt, or threat”.