Appeals court allows all White House ballroom construction to resume
CBS News • • general
Key Points:
- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has granted an administrative stay allowing construction of a White House ballroom and presidential bunker to continue temporarily, despite a previous order blocking most above-ground work.
- The next hearing in the case is scheduled for June 5, meaning construction will likely proceed until at least that date.
- U.S. District Judge Richard Leon had initially blocked the ballroom construction in March, allowing only underground bunker work to continue, citing national security concerns.
- The Justice Department appealed Leon's ruling, arguing that halting construction jeopardizes the President's safety and national security.
- Former President Trump criticized Judge Leon's decision as politically motivated and emphasized the ballroom's importance to national security, stating the underground bunker alone would be ineffective.
