Architektur: Umstrittener Ballsaal: Trump schaltet Supreme Court ein

The ongoing legal dispute over the controversial White House ballroom has seen US President Donald Trump turn to the Supreme Court. The administration requested the court to suspend a lower court's decision, allowing construction to continue on Trump's prestige project. The government cited in its court appeal that the "construction of the integrated military complex, including a highly secure ballroom," was essential to national security.

Recently, a federal appeals court ruled that Trump could not build the ballroom unilaterally; instead, he must obtain approval from Congress. The court therefore gave Trump's administration 14 days to act before the ruling takes effect, prompting the administration to appeal to the Supreme Court to overturn the decision. When the appeals court decided a week ago, the judges delivered a 2-1 ruling that the government had failed to prove that the U.S. Congress granted Trump or the National Park Service the authority for such a construction.

The judges also noted that the decision does not necessarily mean the ballroom construction will be halted entirely. Trump announced he would immediately appeal to the Supreme Court, calling the court's decision "completely wrong" and demanding the highest court overturn the "unjust ruling." The dispute over Trump's prestige project involves several parties, including heritage advocates who have filed a lawsuit against the US government to halt the project.

The project has been contested due to its costs, the bidding process, and intrusions into the historic ensemble of the White House. Construction of the ballroom is planned for late 2025 on the grounds of the former east wing of the White House. The White House claims the expansive addition will enable significantly larger state dinners than the existing building can accommodate.