Supreme Court clears way for Trump to keep building White House ballroom

The US Supreme Court has authorized the construction of a $400m, 90,000 sq ft ballroom at the White House, granting President Donald Trump's request. In a 5-4 decision, the justices upheld the Trump administration's emergency petition, halting lower court orders that would have halted the project. Chief Justice John Roberts, a conservative, dissented, arguing that the project "is likely unlawful" since Congress has not approved it.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which filed the legal challenge, maintains that President Trump does not have the authority to proceed without congressional approval. The White House claims the project will be at least 90% complete by November 2023 and fully finished by August 2028. Despite the ruling, the project faces opposition from preservationists who claim it is causing damage to a historical landmark.