The National Trust for Historic Preservation has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to temporarily halt construction of the White House ballroom, according to infohub.kz.
The organization requested that President Donald Trump's $400 million ballroom project be postponed until an appeal is heard. Trust representatives say the administration is trying to "outrun judicial review" by proceeding without congressional approval.
Trust lawyers argue that no law grants the administration "express authority" to demolish a third of the White House and replace it with a massive, privately funded ballroom. They state that such a law does not exist.
The 90,000-square-foot (8,400-square-meter) ballroom construction involves demolishing the White House's East Wing and is part of Trump's plan to quickly remake Washington. The project also includes an underground military facility for presidential protection.
The petition follows an appeals court panel's decision to temporarily pause aboveground construction, which was suspended to allow the administration to appeal.
The appeals court ruling upheld an order by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, nominated by former President George W. Bush. Leon wrote that "no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have."
The administration argues that the president has full authority to renovate the White House, independent of Congress and the courts. The Justice Department contends that the current open construction site makes it harder to protect the White House. They also believe the trust lacks legal standing to sue over the ballroom.
Trust lawyers say the lower court's preliminary injunction is "already narrowly tailored, and limited in scope and duration." They add that it "expressly allows (the administration) to continue building their underground military facility, to protect the President, his family, and his staff, and to maintain the safety and security of the White House complex."
Chief Justice John Roberts had set a Tuesday deadline for the trust to respond in writing to the administration's petition. Solicitor General D. John Sauer, representing the administration, asked the Supreme Court to rule on its stay petition before the appeals court panel's decision takes effect on Friday.
Sauer stated that "this case involves an extraordinary and unlawful injunction that will halt the ongoing construction of the integrated military complex, including a totally secure ballroom space, at the East Wing of the White House, which is vitally required by national security."
The ballroom has been under construction for 10 months. The administration reports that work is roughly 65% complete.