The Trump administration asserted Monday in a court filing that the construction of a new ballroom at the White House is essential for national security. This response follows a lawsuit filed just three days earlier by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which has called for a federal judge to pause the project until thorough independent assessments are completed and Congressional approval is granted.

Included in the administration’s filing was a statement from a deputy director of the U.S. Secret Service, underscoring the necessity for ongoing work at the former White House East Wing site to satisfy the agency’s “safety and security requirements.” The administration proposed sharing classified information with the judge in a private session, excluding the plaintiffs.

This legal filing offers a detailed overview of the ballroom project, showcasing how it received swift approval from the Trump administration and highlighting its expanding scope. The documents indicate that final plans for the ballroom remain incomplete, yet demolition and preparatory work persist. According to John Stanwich, the National Park Service’s liaison to the White House, below-ground construction is still underway, with foundational work slated to commence in January. Above-ground construction, however, is not expected to begin until at least April 2026.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has not responded immediately to requests for comment. On Friday, this privately funded organization urged the U.S. District Court to block the ballroom project until it undergoes comprehensive design evaluations, environmental assessments, public commentary, and Congressional debate and approval.

In October, Trump authorized the demolition of the East Wing as part of a plan to construct a 90,000-square-foot ballroom, estimated to cost around $300 million, before his term concludes in 2029. The administration argues that claims regarding the East Wing’s demolition are moot, as the teardown is irreversible. It further contends that concerns about future construction are premature given the current status of the plans.

The administration also posits that the National Trust for Historic Preservation cannot demonstrate “irreparable harm,” as above-ground activities will not commence until April. They maintain that the reviews sought in the lawsuit, involving consultations with the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts, will soon move forward independently of court involvement.

The administration emphasized that even if the plaintiff overcomes preliminary legal hurdles such as mootness, ripeness, and standing, they would still fail to meet the stringent standards required to obtain such extraordinary preliminary relief.

Trump’s ballroom project has faced criticism from various sectors, including historic preservation, architecture, and political opponents. The current lawsuit represents the most substantial effort to alter or halt plans for this addition, which would nearly double the size of the White House after the East Wing’s demolition.