Overview
- The D.C. Circuit, in a 2-1 order Saturday, lifted a construction halt through April 17 and sent the case back to clarify the trial judge’s safety-and-security carve‑out.
- Justice Department filings say stopping now would leave an open excavation by the Executive Mansion and expose vulnerabilities, with the Secret Service warning that unfinished work weakens protective measures.
- The administration argues the above‑ground structure is needed to shield and reinforce underground security upgrades beneath the former East Wing site.
- The National Trust for Historic Preservation contends the president lacks authority to replace the East Wing without explicit congressional approval and asks the judge to exclude the ballroom from any security exception.
- The White House says private money funds the ballroom, while reports note public dollars cover below‑ground bunkers and security work, a split that fuels legal and oversight fights and could drive fast appeals up to the Supreme Court.