U.S. President Donald Trump sought Supreme Court approval to keep building his massive new White House ballroom after two lower courts said he was flouting the law by proceeding without congressional authorization.
In a filing made public Friday, Trump asked the justices for an emergency order letting construction continue without restrictions while a legal fight continues. An appeals court ruling blocking most above-ground work will take effect Aug. 21 unless the Supreme Court intervenes.
The request thrusts the court into a highly symbolic clash over Trump¡¯s efforts to unilaterally remake the aesthetics of the nation¡¯s capital. If completed, the ballroom addition would be 90,000 square feet, larger than the White House mansion and West Wing combined, with a security bunker underneath. Trump demolished the East Wing to make way for the ornate structure.
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