San Francisco Frontiers - US Supreme Court allows White House ballroom construction for now

Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily lifted a lower court ruling that had demanded a halt to construction of the ballroom by midnight on Friday.

Roberts's order means that the ballroom project, which has been challenged by cultural preservation groups, may proceed while litigation continues in the lower courts.

The Trump administration asked the conservative-dominated Supreme Court last week to allow it to complete construction of the ballroom and secure underground bunker at the White House, saying the project was essential for national security.

Trump ordered the demolition of the entire historic East Wing of the White House last year -- without input from Congress -- to make way for his long-desired ballroom, but the project was quickly challenged in court.

A district court ordered a halt to most work at the site, but that order had been stayed while on appeal.

The appellate court recently upheld the lower judge's order, agreeing that such a sweeping White House overhaul required the explicit consent of Congress, but gave the administration some time to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Trump initially touted the construction of the ballroom as being necessary to host galas and state dinners, but has since repeatedly pointed to the addition of a sophisticated underground military bunker and other security features.

John Sauer, the solicitor general, in the appeal to the Supreme Court, also emphasized the national security aspects of the project and argued that the president has the authority to make changes to the White House.

"The President of the United States of America is not a tenant, but rather the sole, elected head of the Executive Branch, and Congress has authorized him to renovate, secure, and protect the White House and its grounds, as other Presidents have been allowed to do, without exception," he added.

Work on the project began last year with the sudden demolition of the East Wing, which used to house the offices of the First Lady.

Trump has insisted that the ballroom will be privately financed, but media reports in June showed that significant taxpayer funds were going to the project, which could cost as much as $600 million.

The ballroom is just one of Trump's pet projects to leave his mark on Washington by the time his second term ends in January 2029, along with a renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and other parks, and construction of a gigantic arch.

Several of the projects have similarly faced legal challenges, but the ballroom project is the first to reach the Supreme Court.

L.Ramos--SFF