Preservation group urges supreme court to suspend Trump White House ballroom project

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has urged the US Supreme Court to suspend the ongoing construction of Donald Trump's $400m ballroom project at the White House while it considers whether the work can proceed. This request comes less than a week after the Trump administration appealed to the nation's highest court, seeking permission to continue the $400m construction project during the appeals process.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation alleges that the administration is attempting to bypass judicial review and circumvent the necessary Congressional approval required by federal law. The administration, however, claims it has the unimpeded authority to renovate the White House, arguing that no statute grants any statute granting them "express authority" to destroy and replace a third of the White House with a massive, privately funded ballroom.

The project, which has been under construction for 10 months, has seen the demolition of the East Wing of the White House and includes the addition of an underground military facility, which the administration says is necessary to protect the President. The lawsuit was filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which claims that the administration lacks the legal standing to sue over the ballroom.

The preliminary injunction issued by the lower court, however, allows the administration to continue building the underground military facility, which is deemed vital for the President's safety and security.