The construction of a new ballroom and presidential bunker at the White House continues after the U.S. Court of Appeals granted a stay on earlier restrictions. The court's decision means that most above-ground construction can resume while a hearing scheduled for June 5 will determine the future of the project. The case arose after U.S. District Judge Richard Leon temporarily halted the ballroom work in March, citing concerns over national security and the impact on the historic site.
Despite the judge's ruling, the DOJ appealed, arguing that stopping the construction poses a risk to the President and national security. President Trump, a strong proponent of the project, criticized the ruling on social media, calling the judge's decision an overreach and emphasizing the importance of the project for national security.
The project, announced last summer, includes plans for a privately funded ballroom and underground bunker, with the East Wing demolished in October. The National Trust for Historical Preservation has challenged the construction plans, adding to the controversy surrounding this high-stakes development at the White House.