US Supreme Court temporarily allows $400 million White House banquet hall construction

The U.S. Supreme Court has granted a temporary reprieve for the controversial $400 million banquet hall project at the White House. In a decision on Tuesday, the court allowed construction to proceed while it considers the Trump administration's appeal against an order that sought to halt the project.

Chief Justice John Roberts issued a temporary order enabling the construction to continue. This move comes as the Supreme Court reviews the administration's request to overturn a previous ruling by the D.C. Federal Appeals Court. That court had upheld an earlier decision to stop the construction, arguing that the executive branch cannot undertake such a large-scale project without explicit approval from Congress.

President Trump had reacted swiftly to the appeals court's decision, taking the matter to the Supreme Court. The administration has argued that the new hall is necessary for hosting large events and VIPs, and that its construction is vital for presidential security and national security. Approximately $200 million in private donations had reportedly been secured or committed to the project before the legal challenges arose.

“

The Supreme Court will allow construction to continue while the Trump administration's request to review the banquet hall construction halt order is being considered.