The administration filed an emergency motion on Friday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia seeking to lift a court-ordered stop on construction of a new White House ballroom. In the appeal, officials argued that the suspension of work leaves the presidential residence "open and exposed," creating potential national security threats to the president, members of his family and staff.
The request to restart construction comes after U.S. District Judge Richard Leon earlier this week issued an order halting the project while a lawsuit moves forward. The legal action was brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which contends that the $400 million ballroom undertaking requires approval from Congress.
In its filing, the administration rejected the preservation group's claims as "legally baseless," asserting that the president possesses full authority to carry out renovations at the White House. The filing also questioned whether the plaintiffs have the legal standing necessary to maintain the suit.
Judge Leon, who put the construction on hold, provided the administration with a 14-day period during which it may appeal his ruling.
The contested ballroom project follows demolition work on the historic East Wing, which was originally constructed in 1902 and later expanded under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The ballroom is part of broader plans by the president to rework prominent Washington landmarks.
Context and legal posture
The current procedural posture places the project in a period of legal uncertainty. With a temporary injunction in place, the administration is pursuing appellate relief to argue both the immediacy of security concerns and the legal authority to proceed without congressional sign-off, while the preservation group continues its challenge on statutory grounds.
Operational and security claim
The administration framed the pause as creating tangible security exposures for the White House compound and its occupants. That assertion forms a central part of the emergency appeal to the court of appeals.
Key parties
- Administration - filed the emergency motion and argues for authority to renovate the White House.
- U.S. District Judge Richard Leon - issued the order halting construction and allowed a 14-day appeal window.
- National Trust for Historic Preservation - brought the lawsuit arguing congressional approval is required for the $400 million project.