Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI:President Donald Trump’s administration asked the US Supreme Court on August14 to allow it to continue construction of his $400 million White House ballroom after an appeals court ruled the project lacked the necessary approval from Congress.
The Trump administration asked the justices to keep the ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on hold while it prepares a full appeal to the Supreme Court.
Justice Department lawyers echoed Trump’s contention that the ballroom project is a security necessity. Citing numerous assassination attempts against Trump, the lawyers described the project as “vitally required by national security.” The DC Circuit in a 2-1 ruling on August 7 upheld a lower-court judge’s order directing the administration to halt aboveground construction.
“Whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for Executive selfhelp,” the panel wrote. The appeals court had paused its order from taking effect for 14 days to allow the Trump administration to challenge it at the Supreme Court.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation brought the case last year after the administration tore down the East Wing and began building a 90,000-squarefoot (8,360-square-meter) ballroom.
The National Trust in a statement urged the Supreme Court to turn down the administration’s appeal. The appeals court’s order only blocked aboveground efforts until the administration secures approval from Congress.
