Trump asks Supreme Court to allow ballroom construction

US President Donald Trump's administration asked the US Supreme Court to allow it to continue construction of his $400 million White House ballroom after an appeals court ruled the project lacked the necessary approval from Congress.

The Trump administration asked the justices to keep the ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on hold while it prepares a full appeal to the Supreme Court.

Justice Department lawyers, in their filing, echoed Mr Trump's contention that the ballroom project is a security necessity.

Citing numerous assassination attempts against Mr Trump, lawyers described the project as "vitally required by national security".

The DC Circuit in a 2-1 ruling on 7 August upheld a lower-court judge's order directing the administration to halt above-ground construction.

"Whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for Executive self-help," the panel wrote.

The appeals court had paused its order from taking effect for 14 days to allow the Trump administration to challenge it at the Supreme Court.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation brought the case last year after the administration tore down the East Wing and began building a 8,360-square-metre ballroom without seeking authorisation from Congress.

Mr Trump has said the ballroom project is a security necessity, and referred to the structure as a "military center" in a post on Truth Social earlier this month.

He called the DC Circuit’s decision "horrendous" and politically motivated and said it left him, other White House officials and visitors exposed to attack.

"This unjust decision must be overturned by the Supreme Court in its entirety," Mr Trump wrote.

He said the ballroom plan includes bomb shelters, medical facilities, shielding from drones and missiles and other security features that are "all tied together as one big, expensive, and very complex unit."

The DC Circuit's opinion said national security arguments "are not an automatic get-out-of-law-free card."

The appeals court’s order did not permanently bar construction of a ballroom, but blocked above-ground efforts until the administration secures approval from Congress.