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🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Crime & Justice

Preservation group urges Supreme Court to suspend Trump White House ballroom project

From The Guardian · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • A historic preservation group asked the U.S. Supreme Court to halt construction of Donald Trump's White House ballroom.
  • The National Trust for Historic Preservation argues the administration lacks congressional authority for the $400 million project.
  • The administration contends the president has unimpeded authority to renovate the White House and that the project is vital for national security.

A preservation group is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to halt construction on Donald Trump's planned White House ballroom. The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a request Tuesday, less than a week after the Trump administration asked the high court to allow construction to continue during the appeals process.

outrun judicial review

— trust attorneysLawyers for the trust accused the administration of trying to 'outrun judicial review' rather than obtain permission for the work from Congress.

Attorneys for the trust accused the administration of attempting to bypass judicial review. They argue that federal law requires congressional permission for such work, and that no statute grants the administration the authority to demolish a significant portion of the White House for a privately funded ballroom. The project, which includes demolishing the East Wing and adding an underground military facility, is part of Trump's broader plans to reshape Washington.

cannot identify any statute granting them ‘express authority’ to destroy a third of the White House and replace it with a massive, privately funded ballroom, because none exists

— trust attorneysThe administration “cannot identify any statute granting them ‘express authority’ to destroy a third of the White House and replace it with a massive, privately funded ballroom, because none exists”, trust attorneys wrote.

The case comes after a divided appeals court panel upheld a lower court order to pause aboveground construction. The administration is appealing this ruling, which had affirmed a district judge's finding that no statute grants the president the claimed authority. The administration argues that the president, not Congress or the courts, holds ultimate renovation authority. They also claim the current construction site poses security risks and that the preservation group lacks legal standing to sue.

no statute comes close to giving the president the authority he claims to have

— US district judge Richard LeonThe ruling left intact an order by US district judge Richard Leon, who was nominated by Republican president George W Bush. Leon wrote that “no statute comes close to giving the president the authority he claims to have”.

The trust's lawyers countered that the preliminary injunction is narrowly tailored, allowing construction of the underground military facility for security purposes while pausing the ballroom. Chief Justice John Roberts had set a Tuesday deadline for the trust's response. Solicitor General D. John Sauer, representing the administration, urged the Supreme Court to rule quickly, stating the injunction would halt construction of a vital national security facility, including a secure ballroom space.

already narrowly tailored, and limited in scope and duration

— Trust attorneysTrust attorneys said the preliminary injunction issued by the lower court is “already narrowly tailored, and limited in scope and duration”.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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