Trump asks Supreme Court to allow White House ballroom work to continue

President Trump's administration has asked the Supreme Court to allow construction to resume on its $400m White House ballroom.

An appeals court last week upheld a ruling that above-ground work should stop as Congress hadn't approved the project.

It said the president didn't have authority to approve the construction on his own and sided with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, who sued to stop the work.

The administration claims the ballroom is necessary for large functions and to preserve the safety of the White House.

President Trump called last week's decision "unjust" and said the ballroom will also be a "military centre" with bomb shelters and medical facilities.

Democrats have criticised the project as expensive and frivolous, but private donors are said to be paying the full $400m (£295m) cost.

However, Senate Republicans have sought $1bn in taxpayer funding for security upgrades to the ballroom and structures beneath it.

The District of Columbia appeals court suspended its ruling until 21 August to give President Trump time to appeal, and Justice Department officials today asked the Supreme Court to allow work to continue.

"This case involves an extraordinary and unlawful injunction that will halt the ongoing construction of the integrated military complex, including a totally secure ballroom space, at the East Wing of the White House, which is vitally required by national security," the solicitor general, Dean John Sauer, wrote on Friday.

The East Wing was demolished in the autumn to make way for the huge 8,400sq m ballroom.

Pool problems

President Trump's other projects include the renovation of Washington DC's Reflecting Pool, which has been beset by problems including the pool's lining peeling off and algae in the water.

He blamed vandalism and an Olympic canoeist was arrested, but charges were dropped two weeks ago.

Prosecutors conceded the problems were due to botched installation and a rush to get it ready for July's independence celebrations.

Also on President Trump's agenda is the creation of a 76-metre memorial arch near Arlington National Cemetery.

There are concerns it could interfere too much with historic views in Washington but the project got preliminary approval last month.

A final vote is expected in the coming months - possibly as early as September.

(c) Sky News 2026: Trump asks Supreme Court to allow White House ballroom work to continue