Trump Seeks Supreme Court Approval for Ballroom

President Donald Trump’s administration has asked the US Supreme Court to lift the injunction blocking construction of a $400m luxury ballroom in the East Wing of the White House. The project had previously been suspended by an appeals court on the grounds that the executive branch cannot proceed with construction without the necessary approval from Congress. The administration is seeking a stay of this decision until it can prepare a full appeal.

Lawyers from the Department of Justice and Trump himself defend the construction as “vitally required by national security”. According to them, it is an integrated military complex with secure facilities, medical support and defenses against drones and missiles.

The appeals court, however, emphasized that invoking security does not authorize the government to circumvent existing laws.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit against the White House administration after the original section of the building was demolished without legislative approval. Although the appeals court did not definitively cancel the project, it made above-ground construction contingent on additional approval by Congress. The president sharply criticized the court’s decision, calling it politically motivated.

(Reuters, Max)