President Donald Trump's administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the White House to resume construction on a sprawling $400 million ballroom project. The request seeks to continue work on the project, which is adjacent to the White House, while the administration appeals a lower court's order to halt construction.
The appeal escalates the legal fight over the controversial project to the nation’s highest court. Two lower courts previously ruled that the president was flouting the law by proceeding with the construction without congressional authorization.
Administration officials state that the project is vital for national security and the president’s safety. To make way for the ballroom project, President Donald Trump tore down the White House East Wing.