United States: the Supreme Court provisionally authorizes the resumption of work on the White House ballroom

This is a victory for Donald Trump. The Supreme Court of the United States provisionally authorized, on Friday, the resumption of work on the ballroom of the White House desired by the American president.

This decision temporarily suspends a judgment which required the construction site to be stopped, while the legal battle continues before other courts. “The military complex/ballroom being built on the hallowed grounds of the White House, which is so crucial to national security, will be the most formidable of its kind,” Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, saying he was “grateful.”

Seized by the presidential administration, the country's highest court ruled that the project could continue while the file was examined. The decision, taken by a conservative majority, comes after opposition from heritage defense associations, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP), which is challenging the site in court.

National security as a defense argument

The conflict concerns in particular the need to obtain or not obtain authorization from Congress to significantly modify the buildings and grounds of the White House. On August 7, an appeal court therefore confirmed the cessation of work decided at first instance, while allowing the construction of an underground bunker to continue. Donald Trump then denounced a “national shame”.

The American administration is defending a project which would not only be intended for official receptions. In his appeal, John Sauer, legal adviser to the government, claimed that a “military complex” would be integrated into the ballroom, including a drone platform and other equipment linked to national security.

Donald Trump's big plans

The project, whose cost could reach $600 million according to American media, should enable the creation of a space capable of accommodating up to 1,000 people. Donald Trump has always affirmed that the work is financed by private funds, while press information suggests a significant contribution from taxpayers. John Sauer also assured that the project was already 65% ​​complete and that a prolonged shutdown would expose the building to aesthetic damage.

This ballroom is part of a series of construction or renovation projects launched in Washington by Donald Trump (a triumphal arch, a promenade in his name, etc.). Near the construction site, a new concrete area intended for the operations of the presidential helicopter is also being built.