National Park Service v. National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States

609 U. S. ____ (2026) · 8/31/26

Because the government has established that it is likely to prevail in showing that the Trust lacks Article III standing to challenge the East Wing project in federal court, that it would likely suffer irreparable harm without a stay, and that the balance of equities tips in its favor, the injunction entered by the District Court is stayed pending the disposition of the government’s forthcoming petition for a writ of certiorari, if such writ is timely sought.

In October 2025, the federal government started a project to replace the East Wing of the White House. The first phase involved the demolition of the existing East Wing, something the government completed in December 2025. The next phase, currently ongoing, involves the construction of a new East Wing, including a below-ground military installation and an above-ground ballroom.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States (Trust) filed a lawsuit in federal district court challenging various aspects of the project. As part of its suit, the Trust filed a motion on March 5, 2026, seeking a preliminary injunction. The injunction the Trust sought focused not on the already-completed demolition of the old East Wing but on halting the ongoing construction of a new one.