Kathmandu— The United States Supreme Court will allow President Donald Trump to continue his $400 million White House ballroom project for now, temporarily pausing a judicial order that would have halted much of the development. Chief Justice John Roberts signed an order on Friday permitting work to proceed while the court reviews an emergency appeal from the Trump administration, which argues the project is necessary for national security purposes. Lower courts had previously ordered a halt to the construction, asserting it required congressional approval; that ruling was set to take effect Friday. The case arrives at the nation’s highest court as Trump seeks to expand presidential power and reshape the capital.

Legal Challenges And Initial Rulings

Lower courts initially sided with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which filed a lawsuit in December arguing that President Trump lacked the unilateral authority to undertake such extensive renovations. US district court judge Richard Leon ordered a stop to aboveground construction in April, emphasizing that the president is “not the owner” of the White House and that significant changes require congressional approval. However, Judge Leon allowed work on an underground bunker—intended to house a hospital and military facilities—to continue if it ensured the safety and security of the White House.

Administration’s Justification And Project Scope

The Trump administration maintains that the president has full authority to renovate federal buildings as he sees fit. While recent court filings cite national security concerns, initial plans for the project focused on providing additional space for state dinners and other events. The proposed ballroom is expected to span approximately 8,400 square meters (90,000 square feet), significantly exceeding the size of the White House’s main building. Trump has also stated that the project will be funded by private donations, a claim disputed by critics who point to requests for taxpayer funds.

Escalation And Appeals Process

Despite the injunctions, the administration accelerated construction in recent months, claiming 65 percent of the work is already complete. Crews have been working around the clock—20 hours a day, seven days a week—and approximately $200 million in private donations has been spent or committed to the project, according to US Department of Justice lawyers. A three-judge appeals court panel upheld Judge Leon’s injunction earlier this month, with two judges ruling that Congress should decide whether to construct such a massive ballroom. The administration then petitioned the Supreme Court, and Roberts signed the temporary order pausing the lower court's decision.

Trump’s Reaction And Long-Term Vision

Shortly after the Supreme Court’s action, Trump celebrated Roberts’s decision on social media, expressing gratitude to the court. He also proclaimed that the ballroom would be “THE GREATEST OF ITS KIND,” stating it was a long-sought goal dating back to 2010 when he reportedly discussed the idea with the Obama administration. According to Trump, both presidents and the military have desired such a space for decades.

The Supreme Court will now consider the merits of the Trump administration’s appeal, and a final decision on whether the project can proceed remains pending.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.