The construction of the White House dance hall can temporarily continue according to the court

Washington - The construction of both the underground and above-ground parts of the White House ballroom can continue temporarily. According to the BBC website, this was decided by the appellate court of the federal district of the District of Columbia, where the capital is located. The court granted the appeal from the U.S. administration against the Thursday decision of Washington judge Richard Leon, who had suspended the construction of the above-ground portion. Now, construction work can continue until June 5, when another court hearing is scheduled.

Judge Leon suspended all construction at the end of March when he granted a preliminary injunction to a preservation organization that criticized President Donald Trump's proceeding with the reconstruction without congressional consent, without a comprehensive project assessment, or without an environmental impact assessment.

The Trump administration argued that the overall reconstruction is crucial for national security, as it will include, among other things, anti-aircraft shelters. Judge Leon stated on Thursday that he views the government’s attempt to label the ballroom construction as a project essential for national security as an effort to bypass regulations.

In the past, Trump has repeatedly mentioned that the White House lacks dignified spaces for large receptions. He expects the new facility, covering approximately 8,400 square meters, to accommodate around 1,000 people. The ballroom construction, estimated to cost about $400 million (8.5 billion CZK), is to be entirely funded by private donations.