US Supreme Court permits temporary resumption of White House ballroom construction

The US Supreme Court has allowed construction to temporarily resume on President Donald Trump’s planned $400 million White House ballroom while litigation proceeds. In a 5–4 decision, the court's conservative majority lifted a lower court injunction that had previously halted the project. Chief Justice John Roberts issued a brief order granting the emergency stay, providing the justices additional time to examine the administration's legal appeals.

The legal challenge was initiated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which argued that the project threatens the historic integrity of the site. While the majority indicated the government has strong prospects of dismissing the suit, the court emphasized that its procedural ruling does not constitute a final judgment on the construction's legality. Consequently, structural work may proceed before a definitive verdict is rendered.

Sources: Der Standard, Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau