President Donald Trump is asking the Supreme Court to intervene in an escalating dispute that his administration argues reaches far beyond aesthetics or an ambitious construction project.
The White House says the issue involves the president’s personal safety and national security, pointing directly to the attempts on Trump’s life while arguing that further delays could prevent necessary security improvements.
Trump filed an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court on Friday asking the justices to overturn a lower-court order blocking above-ground construction of his planned $400 million White House ballroom unless Congress approves the project.
Solicitor General John Sauer argued in the filing that renovations to the former East Wing are “absolutely required” to protect Trump, citing the security threats the president has faced in recent years.
“The President of the United States of America is not a tenant, but rather the sole, elected head of the Executive Branch, and Congress has authorized him to renovate, secure, and protect the White House and its grounds, as other Presidents have been allowed to do, without exception,” Sauer wrote.
Sauer also accused the lower courts of improperly interfering with authority belonging to the executive branch.
