Trump-Xi White House summit is drawing low expectations amid Iran and trade tensions

On Monday, the Supreme Court permitted the White House to proceed with construction on a $400 million ballroom project despite ongoing legal disputes, marking a victory for President Donald Trump and his plans to reshape the capital. The apparent 5-4 ruling supersedes a temporary order issued earlier in the month, which would have halted construction due to a lack of congressional approval.

Chief Justice John Roberts, who handled appeals from the capital, disagreed with the latest decision and penned a dissent, stating the project may be unlawful until Congress approves it. "Today's decision is no victory for the separation of powers," Roberts wrote. Three liberal-leaning justices joined the majority, finding the National Trust for Historic Preservation did not have the legal right to challenge the project.

The order did not directly address the project's legality, and the lawsuit will return to lower courts. However, key aspects of the project could be completed within months, according to documents filed in the case. The trust's president and CEO, Brent Leggs, expressed disappointment with the decision but acknowledged Roberts' dissent.

The Trump administration had requested intervention after federal courts halted construction due to the lack of congressional approval. They argued that the president possesses total authority to renovate the White House and other federal buildings, citing federal law prohibiting the construction of structures on federal parks or public grounds without express congressional authorization.

The trust and its members, however, emphasized their commitment to historic building preservation, strengthening their legal standing. Trump dismissed the lawsuit as "baseless," stating that the completed ballroom and military complex will be a source of national pride by 2028. The administration reported that crews are working around the clock on the 90,000-square-foot project, with the framework expected to be completed by November and much of the facade by April, with full completion slated for August 2028.

A previous U.S. District Judge ordered a halt to aboveground construction in April, but the ruling was later upheld by a divided appeals court panel. Two judges appointed by Democratic presidents found the project was a matter for Congress to decide, while a third judge appointed by Trump determined the preservationist group challenging the project lacked legal standing to sue.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued that the court's decision to halt construction was "extraordinary and unlawful," emphasizing the national security implications of the project's completion. Despite scoring several victories on the high court, the administration has faced setbacks for some of its signature policies following more thorough review.