Also, a principal helped save 900 children in Nepal. Here’s the latest at the end of Monday.
Page B1From§Eachthe late evening edition — 31 August 2026
Supreme Court greenlights Trump ballroom as chief justice calls it 'likely unlawful'
Born from the bricks of precedent and mortar of separation, the ballroom was conceived in the White House’s yearning for more space. Survived by its dissenting opinions, notably from the chief justice, who called its existence ‘likely unlawful,’ the structure now stands as a testament to what can happen when a velvet rope is drawn across the threshold of checks and balances. Preceded in death by several norms, it is survived by the doctrine of judicial review, which may someday revisit its fate. The Court’s split decision, cited in multiple outlets, granted permission for construction, even as the chief justice dissented, noting there was ‘no victory for separation of powers.’ In lieu of flowers, citizens may consider dusting off their civics textbooks and checking the locks on the branches of government. The ballroom’s first dance will be held with the ghost of the separation of powers in attendance.
“They say the law matters, but when the boss wants a ballroom, the law gets out of the way. The chief justice spells it out: 'likely unlawful.' They built it anyway. When the separation of powers is a velvet rope, the rest of us are left standing outside.”
“Look, the Court made its decision, and you have to respect the process, even if there were dissenting opinions. The important thing is that the president gets to host events that bring people together, which is what America needs right now. Did I say 'likely unlawful'? I meant 'likely misunderstood.'”
The receipts
Lower-court rulings would have blocked construction of the 90,000-square-foot ballroom after finding that the Trump administration should have first sought approval from Congress.
US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts recently let construction on President Donald Trump's White House ballroom continue in a temporary solo decision, but on Monday he sided with the three liberals against the five right-wingers who…
Chief Justice John Roberts broke with his conservative colleagues in a Supreme Court decision Monday that allowed construction on the proposed White House ballroom to continue, saying the ruling upsets the separation of powers. Roberts…
This page is a back-issue: the story as it ran, receipts as they were. The current edition is at the front.