The U.S. administration under Donald Trump asked the U.S. Supreme Court on yesterday (local time) to allow construction work on a new ballroom at the White House East Wing to continue, according to Reuters and The Washington Post (WP).

The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to stay a lower court ruling that halted the ballroom project while it prepares an appeal against that ruling.

In its filing, the Department of Justice argued that suspending construction could threaten national security as well as the safety of President Trump, his family, and administration staff, asking to let the work proceed while the legal battle plays out.

In particular, citing past assassination attempts targeting President Trump, the administration emphasized that the project is "absolutely necessary for national security."

The Justice Department also stated that "as of today, construction is 65 percent complete and moving rapidly toward completion."

Previously, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled in favor of the plaintiff on the 7th in a lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a heritage conservation group, seeking to halt the ballroom project.

The appeals court upheld a lower court decision ruling that construction cannot continue without congressional approval.

The appeals court ordered the Trump administration to halt above-ground construction until it secures approval from Congress.

The ruling is scheduled to take effect starting on the 21st.

The Trump administration began demolishing the East Wing last October to build a ballroom capable of accommodating 1,000 people at the White House.

The administration explained that the project includes not only a banquet hall for hosting large events, but also national security-related facilities such as a bomb shelter and drone defense systems.

Following the appeals court ruling, President Trump strongly criticized it as a "political ruling," stating, "This complex is being built to protect our country and future presidents."

(Photo: Getty Images)