Lawyers for the federal government asserted on Friday that halting the construction of a new White House ballroom is beyond the court’s reach. They cited national security issues as a primary reason for allowing the project to continue. Attorney Yaakov Roth stated in court that only Congress could intervene in the $400 million venture.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon had issued an order on April 16 for the Trump administration to stop aboveground development of the proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom. However, Leon allowed construction to proceed on underground security facilities, including a bunker. The hearing focused on who can challenge the government’s actions and whether these challenges outweigh national security considerations.

Roth acknowledged hypotheticals from U.S. Appeals Court Judge Patricia Millett, suggesting that even significant historical sites like the Statue of Liberty could be compromised without legal standing for objections.

Millett questioned Roth regarding when construction on the ballroom became irreversible. “Was it when you started doing the underground work?” she inquired. Roth replied that enjoining the project would have been improper even at the start.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit convened for a two-hour hearing, yet the judges reached no conclusion. The National Trust for Historic Preservation initiated a lawsuit in December, challenging the project. This suit followed the demolition of the East Wing to make way for the ballroom, intended for up to 999 people.

The judges posed numerous questions regarding the administration’s authority and evolving explanations. Plaintiff attorney Tad Heuer faced scrutiny as well, particularly about standing in the case and the balance between aesthetics and national security.

Heuer argued for a halt to the project until Congress’s evaluation, emphasizing, “Congress can allow ballrooms to be built — it’s its property.” Despite this, government lawyers maintain that the development includes essential security features against potential threats like drones and missiles.

“These upgrades and improvements are vital for safeguarding the President and the White House,” they stated in a court filing, underscoring the project’s defensive necessity.