Chief Justice John Roberts on Friday allowed the White House to continue construction of a $400 million ballroom in the White House complex while the Supreme Court considers the administration’s request to intervene in lawsuits concerning the project.

The temporary order blocks a lower‑court decision that would have halted work because the president did not obtain congressional approval. The stay, signed by Roberts, remains in effect until the Supreme Court issues a further ruling.

Construction of the 90,000‑square‑foot ballroom, which replaces the former East Wing, is about 65 percent complete, according to Justice Department filings. The work has proceeded around the clock, with crews working 20 hours a day, seven days a week, and roughly $200 million in private donations has been spent or committed.

The administration argues that the president has the authority to renovate federal buildings as he sees fit and says the project is needed for national security.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation argues that the president lacks unilateral authority and has said the White House is trying to outpace the courts.

A district judge in Washington ordered a stop to above‑ground construction in April; the order was paused by an appeals panel before being reinstated. The ruling permitted below‑ground work on military bunkers to continue.

Two appellate judges appointed by Democratic presidents said the project was a matter for Congress, while a third judge appointed by Trump found the preservation group lacked standing to sue.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer described the lower‑court halt as extraordinary and unlawful and said completion of the ballroom is vitally required for national security.

The White House has not responded to requests for comment, and the preservation group says the Roberts order is not a final decision and will await further action.

The Supreme Court has not indicated when it will rule on the emergency request, and the outcome will determine whether construction can proceed permanently.