Trump appeals to Supreme Court over ban on White House ballroom construction
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
The administration of US President Donald Trump has asked the US Supreme Court to allow construction of the White House ballroom to continue, according to NBC News.
Trump asks Supreme Court to intervene over White House ballroom
The request was submitted on August 14 and concerns construction of a grand White House ballroom.
It was filed after a Washington appeals court ruling on August 7, which upheld a federal judge's decision blocking work on the project while litigation continues.
The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the injunction issued by US District Judge Richard Leon.
Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued in the filing that allowing the injunction to remain in place would unfairly give a single district judge the power to act as the sole arbiter.
Specifically, he would be deciding what construction is "absolutely necessary" to ensure the safety of:
- The president,
- The president's family,
- White House staff,
- White House visitors, including foreign dignitaries, presidents, and prime ministers.
The appeals court ruling has not yet taken effect. As a result, construction on the project is continuing while the Supreme Court decides how to proceed.
The justices have until August 21 to respond.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that a federal judge ordered work on replacing the demolished East Wing of the White House to be halted until Congress approves the project.
Trump also sharply criticized the federal judge who ordered construction of the White House ballroom to stop, calling him "political" and accusing him of undermining national security.
