Trump Defends Controversial White House Ballroom Amid Legal Halt

President Donald Trump announced a plan to build a new White House ballroom, describing it as a “gift” for future presidents and a security upgrade for the residence. The Washington Post reported that the project could cost at least $900 billion if completed. An appeals court has ordered the administration to cease all work on the ballroom by Friday unless the Supreme Court intervenes to approve the overhaul.

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• Estimated cost: $900 billion (Washington Post).

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• Trump claims the project is “way ahead of schedule” and “under budget.”

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In remarks from the Oval Office on Monday, Trump labeled opponents of the ballroom as “very disloyal to our country” and emphasized the structure’s safety and future-president utility. Attorney General Todd Blanche, speaking on Sunday on *Fox News Sunday*, argued that Congress has already granted the president the authority to proceed, saying the administration does not need additional congressional approval and is hopeful the Supreme Court will allow the work to continue.

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• “The people that are opposing the ballroom are people that, in my opinion, are very disloyal to our country,” — President Trump

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• “We don’t believe we have to go to Congress. We believe Congress has already given us the authority to do what we’re doing,” — General Todd Blanche, attorney

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