# National Trust for Historic Preservation The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a Washington, D.C.–based nonprofit chartered by Congress in 1949 to protect historic places in the United States. Relevant to the KB as the lead plaintiff challenging the [[White House Ballroom Project]]. The Trust argued that demolition and construction at the Executive Residence require congressional authorization. On **7 August 2026** a divided D.C. Circuit panel agreed, affirming a preliminary injunction and holding that the President has no constitutionally assigned authority over the White House as property — "a temporary tenant, not the owner." **That holding no longer governs.** On **31 August 2026** the Supreme Court stayed the injunction 5–4 in [[National Park Service v. National Trust for Historic Preservation]], concluding that the Trust **likely lacks standing to sue** — its member's aesthetic and historical objections to the design were not the concrete, particularized injury required. The Court did not decide whether the project is legal. Chief Justice [[John Roberts]] dissented with the Court's three Democratic appointees. The case placed a legacy preservation nonprofit in the unusual position of being a primary institutional check on executive self-dealing over federal property — and then supplied the answer to whether that position is available at all. If a member who visits the White House grounds monthly and holds professional expertise in historic architecture cannot show injury from the demolition of the East Wing, it is unclear who could. ## See Also - [[White House Ballroom Project]] - [[National Park Service v. National Trust for Historic Preservation]] — the ruling that ended its standing - [[DC Circuit - a temporary tenant not the owner]] — the appellate win that was stayed - [[Trump Corruption News Log]] (stub — to be expanded)