Preservation group asks Supreme Court to pause White House ballroom construction

A historic preservation group asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday to suspend construction of President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom while the legal fight over the project continues.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation argued that the administration needs congressional authorization to demolish the East Wing and build the 90,000-square-foot ballroom. The administration says the president has authority to renovate the White House and that the project includes a military facility needed for security.

The request follows an appeals court decision upholding a pause on aboveground construction. The Supreme Court is considering the administration’s request to keep work moving during the appeal; the project is reported to be about 65% complete after 10 months of construction.

Read the full story at theguardian.com.