The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5 – 4 to allow construction on the $400 million White House ballroom to move forward. The decision pauses lower court orders that had temporarily halted above-ground building work.
Basis of the decision
The high court ruled that the preservation group challenging the massive project lacked legal standing to bring their lawsuit to court. In an unsigned opinion, the conservative majority noted:
“Today, We do not pass upon the legality of the government’s East Wing project,” adding that “mere offense, disagreement, or distaste does not qualify as a concrete and particularized injury.”
Strongly divided dissent
Chief Justice John Roberts joined the three liberal justices in a sharp dissent arguing that the project required explicit congressional approval. Roberts wrote that the construction was “likely unlawful” and remarked, “Today’s decision is no victory for the separation of powers.”
White House reaction
President Donald Trump praised the high court’s order in a social media statement, celebrating the 90,000-square-foot expansion.
He posted that the project marks a “Golden Age for America” and boasted that the venue would be “one of the Greatest ever constructed in Washington, DC.”
Scope of construction
Work continues on the massive complex which includes a five-story underground military and security facility beneath the ballroom. Government filings indicate the overarching project is already past 65 percent completion.
