US appeals court lets White House ballroom work continue until April 17

WASHINGTON: A US Court of Appeals on Saturday ruled that construction on a new White House ballroom sought by President Donald Trump can proceed until at least April 17.

A lower court had issued a March 31 injunction to halt ballroom construction, but it also paused that injunction to allow for an appeal.

In its ruling on Saturday, the appeals panel extended that pause to April 17 and asked the district court to clarify the order that granted the injunction. The White House has argued that the injunction left the White House “open and exposed” and was threatening security for the building, the president and his family and staff.

The $400-million project would replace the demolished East Wing with a 90,000-square-foot ballroom that Trump has called a defining addition to the White House and lasting symbol of his presidency.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued in December, arguing Trump exceeded his authority when he razed the historic East Wing originally built in 1902 during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency.