Trump administration says White House ballroom construction is a matter of national security

"In its filing, the administration included a declaration from the deputy director of the U.S. Secret Service saying more work on the site of the former White House East Wing is still needed to meet the agency's safety and security requirements. The administration has offered to share classified details with the judge in an in-person setting without the plaintiffs present."

"The filings assert that final plans for the ballroom have yet to be completed despite the ongoing demolition and construction work. Below-grade demolition of the site continues, wrote John Stanwich, the Park Service's liaison to the White House, and work on the foundations is set to begin in January. Above-grade construction is not anticipated to begin until April 2026, at the earliest, he wrote."

"The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded group, is asking the U.S. District Court to block Trump's ballroom addition until it goes through comprehensive design reviews, environmental assessments, public comments and congressional debate and ratification. Trump had the East Wing torn down in October as part of the project to build an estimated $300 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom before his term ends in 2029."

The Trump administration told a court that the White House ballroom construction must continue for national security reasons and included a Secret Service deputy director's declaration that additional work is required to meet agency safety and security requirements. The administration offered to share classified details with the judge in an in-person setting without plaintiffs present. Filings state that final ballroom plans remain incomplete even as below-grade demolition continues and foundation work is scheduled to begin in January, with above-grade construction not expected before April 2026. The National Trust for Historic Preservation seeks a court block until comprehensive reviews, environmental assessments, public comments and congressional approval occur. The project began with the East Wing demolition in October for an estimated $300 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom before the presidential term ends in 2029, and it has drawn criticism from preservation and architectural communities.

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