US Appeals Court Extends Deadline for Halt of White House Ballroom Construction

US Appeals Court Extends Construction Pause on White House Ballroom

A three-judge appeals panel for the District of Columbia has allowed construction on the White House ballroom to continue until April 17, extending a pause ordered by a lower court. The ruling was made in response to an order issued by Judge Richard Leon on March 31, which had halted further building on the project.

The original order required congressional authorization for the transformative project, but Judge Leon added exceptions and exemptions, including those related to ensuring the safety and security of the White House. A temporary 14-day stay was also granted to allow the Trump administration time to appeal the order.

However, the appeals court has raised questions about the Trump administration’s arguments that completing the ballroom is necessary for national security. The majority opinion noted that the defendants had not explained how the injunction interferes with their existing plans for safety and security during the construction project.

The appeals court also pointed out that the Trump administration acknowledged that the ballroom was expected to be a years-long project, and it is unclear how a potential delay would impose additional harm. The majority ultimately remanded the issue back to the lower court for further clarification on the scope of the national-security exception.

In a dissenting opinion, Judge Neomi Rao argued that the majority’s request for further fact-finding impedes the Trump administration from continuing its work.

Source: Al Jazeera