The Trump administration has filed a differently worded emergency appeal asking that work be allowed to continue on the White House ballroom project, arguing that a stoppage would put national security, President Trump, his family, and staff members at risk. US District Judge Richard Leon had ordered a halt to construction this week until Congress has approved the work. The Friday night filing says the $400 million, 90,000-square-foot addition is intended to protect against threats including drones, missiles, gunfire, and biological agents, the Washington Post reports. The appeal contends that Trump does not need advance authorization from Congress to proceed and suggests the administration might go to the Supreme Court if needed.
The 27-page brief invokes wording Trump has used to defend his plans, breaking with the way federal appellate briefs usually are written. Much of the filing reads more like a Truth Social post than a brief for the court, per the Post, trading the usual legal arguments for mentions of "American Patriots" who have donated money, construction materials, and the president's frequent claim that the ballroom is under budget and ahead of schedule. "Time is of the essence!" the brief says.
The filing with the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit asks for a decision by Friday, per CNBC. White House events have been held outside under unfortified canopies. "Canvas tents, which are necessary without a ballroom, are significantly more vulnerable to missiles, drones, and other threats than a hardened national security facility," the motion says.
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