WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday temporarily allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to continue work on a planned White House ballroom while it reviews a legal challenge to the project.
The justices issued an administrative stay, which does not resolve the broader dispute over the $400 million project.
The administration asked the Supreme Court to block a lower court order restricting above-ground construction. It argues the project is tied to White House security and includes bomb shelters, medical facilities and protections against drones and missiles.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to stop the project, arguing the administration cannot make such a major alteration to the White House without congressional approval.
The dispute began after the administration demolished the East Wing and started construction on a 90,000-square-foot ballroom.
A federal judge later halted most above-ground work while allowing underground construction and work considered necessary for White House security.
On Aug. 7, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld that order in a 2-1 ruling, finding that the president could not fundamentally alter the White House without congressional approval.
The Justice Department appealed to the Supreme Court, saying in an Aug. 14 filing that the broader East Wing project was about 65% complete.
Trump has described the development as a security complex rather than simply an event space.
The Supreme Court’s temporary order allows construction to continue while the justices consider the administration’s request. The underlying lawsuit over presidential authority and congressional approval remains unresolved.
