Trump Appeals to Supreme Court Over White House Ballroom Construction

The Trump administration asked the US Supreme Court on Friday to allow construction to continue on a 90,000 square foot White House ballroom. The request follows a ruling by a DC appeals court on August 7 which determined that the 400 million dollar project lacked necessary congressional approval. That court upheld a lower court order to halt above ground construction, although below ground work related to national security was permitted to continue.

In a petition to the Supreme Court, Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued that the project is vitally required by national security. The administration cited recent assassination attempts and a July 8 missile threat against Air Force One as justification for the secure space. President Trump also previously claimed that a shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner on April 25 would not have occurred if the event had been held in the proposed ballroom.

The project is being challenged by the nonprofit National Trust for Historic Preservation. The trust accused the administration of trying to outrun the courts by accelerating construction, citing plans to pour 3,000 cubic yards of concrete and install 1 million pounds of rebar. While the administration claims the project is funded by private donations, some Democrats argue that Trump's tax law is helping pay for the construction.

Chief Justice John Roberts set a deadline of Tuesday for a response from the plaintiffs. Until the Supreme Court intervenes or the appellate court order takes effect on August 21, construction on the ballroom can continue.