0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on Friday temporarily allowed President Donald Trump 's $400 million White House ballroom project to move forward while the justices consider an emergency appeal from the administration. Roberts' order pauses a lower court ruling that would have halted construction pending congressional approval.
The Trump administration argues the project is necessary for national security and says work is already 65 percent complete, with crews operating 20 hours a day, seven days a week. Preservation groups challenging the project contend Trump lacks unilateral authority to undertake the overhaul and accuse the White House of racing ahead before courts can intervene.
This is a breaking news article. Updates to follow.