US National Park Service lawyers have argued that halting construction of a $400m ballroom at the White House poses a national security risk to President Donald Trump and his family. In a motion filed on Friday, the lawyers urged a federal appeals court to pause a judge's order that temporarily stopped the project.
The ballroom, part of Trump's plans to renovate the White House, includes bomb shelters, military installations, and a medical facility. The NPS claims that the current open construction site makes it harder to protect the White House, and that canvas tents used as a temporary measure are more vulnerable to missiles and drones than a hardened facility.
US District Judge Richard Leon ordered a temporary halt to the construction on Tuesday, ruling that Congress had not approved the project and that the president lacked the authority to proceed. He suspended his order for 14 days to allow an appeal, and exempted any work necessary for safety and security.
Trump criticised the ruling but noted that work on underground bunkers and security measures could continue, funded by taxpayers. The president has pledged that private donors will cover the ballroom costs. The NPS argues that the president has complete authority to renovate the White House.
The Trump administration has asked the appeals court to decide by Friday and to extend the suspension of Leon's order by two weeks to allow a potential appeal to the US Supreme Court.
