President Trump’s administration has filed an emergency request with the Supreme Court to ensure continued construction of the White House ballroom, arguing that a pending lower-court injunction must be halted before it takes effect on August 21.

The application, submitted to Chief Justice John Roberts on August 13 and placed on the court’s docket Friday, seeks two immediate actions: an administrative stay until August 21 followed by a longer stay while the administration prepares for a full hearing of the case. The justices have ordered the National Trust for Historic Preservation to respond by noon Eastern time on Tuesday, August 18.

The White House asserts that the ballroom is integral to a secure military complex vital to national security and has already reached approximately 65% completion. The administration warns that abruptly halting construction would leave an open site adjacent to the White House, creating new security vulnerabilities. It emphasizes the project’s features—including hardened structures, medical capabilities, secure communications, protection against drones and missiles, and indoor space for large events—designed as part of a unified system.

The emergency filing also highlights recent security incidents involving President Trump, noting that on July 8, a missile threat forced officials to move him through a catering truck and secretly fly him out of Turkey. The administration argues that courts should not require the separation of the ballroom from the underlying facilities when the entire complex operates as one integrated system.

The White House states the project spans about 90,000 square feet and that nearly $400 million in private donations has been secured, eliminating taxpayer costs for the ballroom. The administration notes this argument was first raised by its team last October but now is being pursued urgently following a recent court ruling.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation disputes the administration’s urgency, accusing the White House of trying to bypass courts by accelerating construction before the injunction takes effect. A two-justice panel in the D.C. Circuit previously upheld a lower-court order halting aboveground work without Congressional authorization, but the administration has sought emergency relief from the Supreme Court.

With Chief Justice Roberts setting an accelerated briefing schedule and the response deadline looming, the justices have a narrow window to decide whether construction can proceed during the next phase of the appeal. President Trump promised to appeal after the D.C. Circuit decision, and his administration has fulfilled that pledge with this urgent request.

The challengers’ reply is due Tuesday. Should the Supreme Court act, it could permit construction to continue before the August 21 deadline.