Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts expressed concerns regarding the legality of a construction project at the White House during Donald Trump’s presidency. The primary issue stems from the absence of congressional approval for the ballroom project, estimated to cost $400 million.
In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court overturned a previous lower-court order that had stopped above-ground construction activities. According to Reuters, Chief Justice Roberts, along with the three liberal justices, dissented from the majority opinion.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has opposed the construction, citing various objections. However, the ruling does not explicitly resolve the legality of the ballroom itself, as noted in the court order. The ongoing construction is permitted to continue while the wider legal arguments unfold.
The administration supports the project, claiming it is vital for security purposes and is funded by private donations, not public funds.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. For further inquiries, contact Newsweek editors Samantha Beech and Sam Wilson.