US Supreme Court allows White House ballroom construction for now
A lower court ruling that had demanded a halt to Donald Trump's controversial project is temporarily lifted while litigation plays out.
The US Supreme Court has temporarily allowed construction of a massive White House ballroom to continue, granting President Donald Trump a brief victory in his ambitious renovation project. Chief Justice John Roberts lifted a lower court ruling that had halted work on the controversial ballroom, giving the project time to proceed through the legal process.
While the ballroom is already 65% complete, its total cost is reported to be around US$600 million. President Trump has emphasized the ballroom's security features and claimed that the project is essential for national security. The construction began last year after Trump ordered the demolition of the historic East Wing without Congressional approval.
Historical preservation groups have challenged the project, arguing that it requires explicit Congressional consent. The Supreme Court's decision comes after the administration appealed the lower court's order, which had initially halted the construction of the aboveground ballroom while allowing the underground bunker to proceed.
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