Trump asks Supreme Court to let White House ballroom work continue

Key Points:

• The Trump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow construction on the $400 million White House ballroom to continue while it appeals a lower court's order to halt the project.
• A three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that President Trump lacks unilateral authority to build the ballroom without Congressional approval, ordering a stop to aboveground construction.
• The administration argues the project is vital for national security and claims the National Trust for Historic Preservation lacks legal standing to sue, asserting that presidential authority over White House renovations is supreme.
• The appeals court's 2-1 decision sided with historic preservationists, but a dissenting judge criticized the ruling for prioritizing aesthetic concerns over security interests.
• The project is about 65% complete after 10 months of construction, and the administration contends halting work now would cause unnecessary disruption without enhancing security.