Trump asks Supreme Court to let White House ballroom construction continue

The Trump administration has petitioned the US Supreme Court to permit the construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House. This request follows an appeals court ruling that the project lacked congressional approval and halted above-ground construction last week. Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued that the ballroom, which would be built in the site of the demolished East Wing, is essential for national security.

The Supreme Court's deadline for a response is Tuesday. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which initiated the case, believes the project should be decided by Congress and is not an executive decision. They argue the administration is trying to bypass the courts by accelerating construction, planning to pour 3,000 cubic yards of concrete in the coming week.