Trump Ballroom Construction Resumes After Supreme Court Intervention
Chief Justice John Roberts issues temporary order, overturning lower court's halt on the controversial White House project.
Callum Smith
Construction on Donald Trump's controversial White House ballroom can now resume.
Donald Trump last week urged the Supreme Court to intervene, labelling the structure a “desperately needed National Security structure.” The administration increasingly describes the project as a highly fortified military installation, vital to the president's safety and security.
Solicitor General D. John Sauer claims the project's completion is "vitally required by national security."
vitally required by national security.
The White House states 65% of the work is completed, with approximately $200 million in private donations already spent or committed.
The project includes an underground bunker and a rooftop military complex; the ballroom is reportedly built using nuclear-blast-resistant materials.
The East Wing was reportedly demolished to make way for the ballroom.
Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday that military officials approached him with plans for the military complex after he announced his intentions to build a ballroom.
He stated he was told there is an “opportunity to build deep into the ground and build a military facility to go with the White House — and to go with all of Washington, D.C., which would be so valuable.”
However, the National Trust for Historic Preservation argues Trump lacks unilateral authority for such extensive work and filed a lawsuit against the project.
The project has faced allegations of sidestepping legally required review and public-comment processes.
Estimated costs for the project have reportedly risen from $200 million to at least $400 million.