Key Background
The Justice Department argued in a filing Wednesday that it could harm national security interests to stop construction now, since the project includes a new underground security complex. It also took issue with claims made by the National Trust for Historic Preservation—which is suing to block the ballroom construction—that the project is unsightly, arguing it creates a “see something, sue something” precedent that would allow people to bring legal action any time the government does something they don’t like. The National Trust, meanwhile, has accused the Trump administration of trying to “outrun judicial review” by rushing to complete the ballroom before the court can stop it. The Trump administration brought the ballroom case to the Supreme Court earlier this month after an appeals court sided with lower courts in ruling the project can’t continue without congressional approval.
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What To Watch For
The appeals court ruling that would stop construction of the ballroom would take effect Friday without intervention from the Supreme Court.
further reading
Trump Administration Says It Doesn’t Matter If People Think White House Ballroom Is Ugly (Forbes)
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Trump Asks Supreme Court To Allow White House Ballroom Construction (Forbes)
Trump’s DOJ Argues They Could Tear Down The Statue Of Liberty Without Legal Repercussions (Forbes)
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