Washington (United States) (AFP) - The US Supreme Court ruled on Monday to allow Donald Trump to continue construction of the Banquet Hall in the White House, in what represents a major victory for the president who seeks to leave a permanent mark in Washington, DC.

Published on: 01/09/2026 - 08:47

The court voted by a majority of five votes to four in favor of canceling a judicial decision that demanded stopping most of the construction work, considering that the plaintiff in the case likely does not have the legal capacity necessary to file the lawsuit.

Chief Justice John Roberts joined the three liberal justices in opposing the decision, saying that the major expansion project for the White House “is likely illegal,” especially since it did not receive authorization from Congress.

The decision requires construction work to continue, while the lawsuit filed by the National Authority for Historic Preservation is still pending before the lower courts.

Trump welcomed the court's decision, considering that it allows the project to move forward "without any additional restrictions, doubts, or threats."

On the other hand, Brent Leggs, head of the National Commission for Historic Preservation, said, “We are deeply disappointed” about the decision, pointing out that “the majority did not express an opinion on whether the concert hall project is actually legal.”

The authority filed the lawsuit on behalf of Allison Hoagland, a member residing in Washington, who considers that the construction of the concert hall and its vision after its completion will harm its aesthetic, cultural and historical interests.

But the court's judges said that Hoagland's claims did not appear to be sufficient to prove the legal standing necessary to file the lawsuit, while Roberts considered that they clearly had legal standing according to previous Supreme Court rulings.

Although the concert hall received most of the media attention, the project also includes the construction of a military bunker.

Trump stresses that the hall is necessary to host official receptions and dinners for visits by heads of state, and he also stresses the importance of the bunker from a security standpoint.

The project began last year with the sudden demolition of the East Wing of the White House, which housed the First Lady's offices.

© 2026 AFP

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