The US Supreme Court has temporarily allowed construction of US President Donald Trump's ballroom on the grounds of the White House to continue, according to a statement published today by the court, quoted by DPA, BTA reports.
The Supreme Court has temporarily lifted the suspension of construction work ordered by a lower court, Chief Justice John Roberts announced in a brief order.
This order remains in effect until the court makes a final decision in the case.
A legal dispute has been going on for years over the planned ballroom, the construction of which is expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
An appeals court recently ruled that Trump is not allowed to build the ballroom without a permit. The court ruled that he must seek the consent of the US Congress and that construction should be halted until further notice.
Protectors of cultural heritage have filed a lawsuit against the current US administration in an attempt to stop the project, which has drawn criticism for its cost, size, the way it was carried out without consultation, and its impact on the historic White House complex.
Construction is set to begin in 2025 on the site of the former East Wing of the White House. The expansion, which covers several thousand square meters, will allow for significantly larger state banquets in the future than the building that has been used so far, the Trump administration claims.