Trump administration asks appeals court to let White House ballroom construction resume

The Trump administration has asked a federal appeals court to let construction of President Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom project resume after a judge halted it.

In an emergency motion late Friday, the Justice Department said that leaving the ballroom unfinished would “imperil” Trump and others who live and work in the White House.

The East Wing’s “entire design cohesively advances critical national security objectives,” the government said, contending that Top Secret foundations and structures have already been built and must be completed with fortified materials to protect against attacks and prevent exposure to the elements.

“Time is of the essence!” wrote civil division head Brett Shumate.

The administration last Tuesday appealed U.S. District Judge Richard Leon’s ruling halting construction. The judge said no statute “comes close” to granting Trump the authority he claims he has to rebuild the ballroom and barred construction until Congress authorizes its........

© The Hill