US Supreme Court temporarily permits White House ballroom construction

The United States Supreme Court has issued an administrative order temporarily permitting the Trump administration to proceed with the construction of a controversial $400 million ballroom at the White House complex.

Chief Justice John Roberts signed the brief ruling, which pauses a lower court injunction that had halted major aspects of the multi-million-dollar development project. The temporary stay provides the justices additional time to deliberate on an emergency petition submitted by federal government lawyers.

The legal battle stems from a lawsuit brought by a historic preservation organisation aimed at blocking the project. The White House had requested urgent intervention from the nation's highest court to allow heavy machinery and construction crews to remain on site while legal proceedings move through the judicial system.

Sources: Der Spiegel, Der Standard, Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF