The Trump administration has asked a federal appeals court to pause a judge's order halting the construction of a $400 million White House ballroom, citing security concerns for President Donald Trump.
National Park Service lawyers argue that the construction pause creates a grave national-security risk for the White House, the President, and his family, as well as his staff.
The ballroom construction includes bomb shelters, military installations, and a medical facility, and the administration claims that materials will be installed to make a 'heavily fortified' facility.
US District Judge Richard Leon had ordered a temporary pause of the construction project, citing concerns that the President lacks the authority to undertake the project without Congressional approval.
The administration has asked the appeals court to make a decision on its request by Friday and has also sought to extend the suspension of the judge's order by two weeks to allow the case to be taken to the Supreme Court.
