Trump urges Supreme Court to permit White House ballroom construction after appeals court halt

President Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform on Friday to criticize the lawsuit that has blocked construction of a new White House ballroom, calling the plaintiffs "treasonists" and accusing them of disclosing classified details about the facility. The administration filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking an immediate order that would let work resume while the case is under review.

The project, which includes an underground bunker and a drone port, has been defended by the White House as a national-security measure needed for large-scale events with foreign leaders. An appeals court last week upheld a lower-court ruling that halted construction until Congress completes its review, giving the government a two-week window to file an appeal.

In its filing, the administration referenced a reported threat of a missile attack on Air Force One on July 8, linking it to a recent incident in Turkey where Trump was transferred to another aircraft. The claim of an Iranian plot against the president has been questioned by some U.S. intelligence officials.

If the Supreme Court grants the request, construction could proceed and potentially be finished before a final judicial determination is made. The White House said the work is "moving quickly towards completion."