Washington, D.C. — In an unprecedented late-night intervention, the United States Supreme Court issued an emergency injunction halting President Trump’s controversial demolition of the White House East Wing—an ongoing project intended to make way for what insiders have described as a “palatial private ballroom rivaling Europe’s royal estates.”

The injunction, delivered just before midnight, came in direct response to a sweeping lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which accuses the administration of more than $10 billion in violations of federal environmental, architectural heritage, and historic preservation laws.

The lawsuit claims the administration bypassed mandatory environmental impact reviews, ignored federal stewardship obligations, and unlawfully approved the destruction of protected historic structure components.

The President’s Four-Word Reaction

According to two senior White House officials who spoke under condition of anonymity, the President responded immediately upon being informed of the Supreme Court’s ruling.

His exact words, delivered sharply and reportedly loud enough for nearby staff to hear:

“We’re appealing this.”

The terse four-word declaration was echoed minutes later in a brief written statement from the White House legal office, confirming the administration’s intent to challenge the injunction and accusing the Court of “overreach” and “politically motivated interference.”

Inside the Court’s Emergency Halt

The Supreme Court’s order cites:

“Irreparable harm to a protected national heritage site,”

“Significant unresolved legal questions,” and

“Immediate risk of permanent loss of federally protected historic assets.”

The ruling freezes construction, demolition, and contracting activities until the Court reviews the case more fully—effectively shutting down all progress on the half-demolished wing.

A senior judicial source described the order as “extraordinary but necessary,” given the scope of the allegations and the speed of destruction reported by preservation groups.

National Trust: ‘This Is a Crime Against Our Nation’s Memory’

In their lawsuit, the National Trust alleges:

Illegal demolition of historically protected architecture

Unauthorized removal of structural elements dating back to the early 20th century

Violations of multiple environmental, conservation, and preservation statutes

Misuse of federal property for what they call a “purely private luxury project”

A project cost estimate exceeding $10 billion in legal, structural, and environmental damages

“We do not sue lightly,” said National Trust president Katherine Dwyer. “But what is happening to the East Wing is not modernization—it is erasure. And it is unlawful.”

Inside the Ballroom Controversy

Leaked architectural schematics describe the ballroom as:

60,000 square feet

Featuring a gold-leaf dome

Designed for private galas, elite donor events, and foreign state entertainment

Containing a marble grand staircase modeled after Versailles

White House staff internally referred to it as “The Trump Grand Hall.”

Congressional Leaders React

Members of both parties reacted strongly overnight:

Sen. Whitman (D-MA) called the project “a taxpayer-funded fantasy palace.”

Rep. Barron (R-UT) criticized the administration for “bypassing lawful review processes.”

Progressive lawmakers demanded a full financial audit of demolition expenditures already incurred.

Conservative allies argued the President had “broad executive discretion” over White House renovations.

What Comes Next

Legal experts expect:

Immediate filings from the administration seeking to overturn the injunction

A rapid briefing schedule set by the Supreme Court

Investigations into federal contracting, permitting, and destruction of heritage assets

Potential criminal exposure for contractors if found to have knowingly violated preservation laws

For now, the East Wing sits partially demolished, surrounded by silence after weeks of construction noise—its future now in the hands of the nation’s highest court.

A Presidency Facing New Legal Turbulence

The injunction marks the latest in a series of escalating legal clashes between the administration and federal institutions. But this one, experts note, strikes at the physical heart of American history.

“The White House is not a private residence,” said historian Dr. Alicia Morgan. “It belongs to the American people. And the courts tonight reminded the President of that fact.”

As of this writing, the White House has not issued further comment beyond the President’s four-word declaration echoing through Washington:

“We’re appealing this.”