US govt. cites 'safety of Trump' in court plea to keep ballroom construction going

The Trump administration argued that President Donald Trump's safety would be in jeopardy if the court did not allow construction of the White House ballroom to proceed.

Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon halted construction of Trump's ballroom without congressional approval. The judge suspended his order for 14 days to give the administration a chance to appeal. A panel of three judges later ruled that Leon must explain how his ruling compromised the president's safety and security.

In a motion on Tuesday, the National Park Service asked to extend the stay on barring construction of the ballroom for another 14 days.

"Under these circumstances, and for the same reasons that the Court initially granted a short,14-day administrative stay, an extension of that stay—which is now scheduled to expire in just three days—is necessary and appropriate," the motion stated. "The importance of this case cannot be overstated, as it implicates the personal safety of President Donald J. Trump, who has survived multiple assassination attempts, including being shot in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024."

"Defendants respectfully request that the Court extend the current administrative stay so that it expires 14 days after this Court rules on the motion to clarify," the document added. "That extension will avoid the need for emergency motion practice over the next three days."