White House calls Trump ballroom a national security necessity that's 'vital' to the first family's safety

The Trump administration indicated it will go to the Supreme Court if the federal appeals court that has the case now doesn't rule in the president's favor.

The White House is urging a federal appeals court to allow construction on President Donald Trump's $400 million ballroom to continue, arguing it will help provide protection both for the president's family and the country as a whole.

Subscribe to read this story ad-free

Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.

Completion of the project as a whole is "necessary to ensure the safety and security of the White House and its grounds, including the ballroom construction site, and provide for the personal safety of the President and his staff,” the administration argued in a filing Thursday with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for Washington, D.C.

The ballroom is "a vital project for the safety and security of the White House and the President, his family, and his staff,” the administration said in another filing. "Halting construction would imperil the President and others who live and work in the White House."