Supreme Court Temporarily Permits White House Ballroom Construction to Continue
The Supreme Court has issued a temporary order allowing President Trump to continue construction on a new ballroom at the White House, effectively pausing a lower court ruling that would have mandated a halt to the project. This administrative stay, issued by Chief Justice John Roberts, does not address the legality of the project itself, which two lower courts have deemed unlawful due to the absence of congressional approval. The order is intended to provide the justices with additional time to consider President Trump's request for an indefinite pause on adverse rulings. According to filings from the Trump administration, construction is rapidly progressing, with a 250-person crew working 20-hour days, seven days a week, and the complex is reported to be 65% complete. The project's cost has escalated from an initial estimate of $200 million to approximately $400 million, with some reports suggesting the total cost for various White House complex changes could reach $900 million. 
