Patricia Millett

A federal appeals court upheld Peter Navarro's contempt of Congress convictions for defying a subpoena related to the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The court rejected his claim that President Donald Trump's executive privilege shielded him, and he had already served a four-month prison sentence for the conviction.

The Trump administration's Justice Department argued that courts cannot halt the White House ballroom construction, even if illegal, by comparing it to a hypothetical scenario of demolishing the Statue of Liberty. A federal appeals court panel expressed skepticism about the administration's claim of immunity from legal challenges due to national security and project progress.

President Trump's renovation projects in Washington, D.C., including the 'Great Reflecting Pool,' 'Independence Arch,' and 'White House State Ballroom,' have prompted lawsuits from nonprofit organizations such as The Cultural Landscape Foundation, Public Citizen, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Critics argue the projects are wasteful and unnecessary, with legal challenges targeting the U.S. Department of the Interior and National Park Service.

Lawyers for the federal government argued a court cannot halt construction of a White House ballroom due to ongoing work and security concerns. A judge previously ordered a stop to aboveground construction, but the government claims only Congress can block the $400 million project. The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to challenge the project after demolition of the White House East Wing began.

Government lawyers argued a court cannot halt construction of a White House ballroom due to ongoing work and national security concerns, stating only Congress could stop the $400 million project. A judge previously ordered a pause on aboveground construction, but underground work on a bunker and security facilities was allowed to continue.

Government attorneys argue that courts cannot halt construction of a Trump-era White House ballroom due to ongoing work and national security concerns. A federal judge previously ordered a pause on aboveground construction, but the government claims only Congress can block the $400 million project. The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to stop the project after demolition of the White House East Wing began.