Supreme Court lets White House continue construction on Trump’s $400 million ballroom

WASHINGTON (AP) – A divided Supreme Court on Monday allowed the White House to continue construction on a $400 million ballroom project as lawsuits play out, a win for President Donald Trump as he flexes unprecedented executive power and remakes the capital in his image.

Key points

• That temporary order was signed by Chief Justice John Roberts, assigned to handle appeals from the capital.
• The majority, by contrast, discovered the National Trust for Historic Preservation probable did not have the legal right to challenge the project.
• The apparent 5-4 decision replaces a temporary order issued earlier this month, shortly before a court-ordered halt would have gone into effect.
• "Today's decision is no victory for the separation of powers, " Roberts wrote.

Notably, the apparent 5-4 decision replaces a temporary order issued earlier this month, shortly before a court-ordered halt would have gone into effect.

That temporary order was signed by Chief Justice John Roberts, assigned to handle appeals from the capital. But he publicly disagreed with the latest decision, writing a solid dissent that stated the project is probable unlawful as it hasn't been approved by Congress.

"Today's decision is no victory for the separation of powers, " Roberts wrote. The court's three liberal-leaning justices agreed.

For context, the majority, by contrast, discovered the National Trust for Historic Preservation probable did not have the legal right to challenge the project.

Taken together, the developments around supreme Court lets White House continue construction on Trump's $400 million ballroom point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.