Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Aug 8: US President Donald Trump said his administration will immediately approach the US Supreme Court after an appellate court ruled against continued construction of a military and security complex at the White House.

Trump said two appellate judges had voted against what he described as a "desperately needed Military Center" that was essential for the national security of Washington and the country.

"The decision has been stayed, and does not take effect for a period of time. We will be immediately appealing to the United States Supreme Court," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

The President cited the dissenting opinion of Judge Neomi Rao, who argued that the lower court lacked jurisdiction because the plaintiff did not have legal standing to seek a halt to the construction.

"This was a blatant abuse of discretion," Rao said, according to excerpts shared by Trump.

"To begin with, the district court had no jurisdiction because the Trust has no standing to stop construction at the White House," she said.

Rao also said the balance of equities "overwhelmingly favours the government", accusing the district court of placing "the aesthetic displeasure of a single passerby" above the government's security concerns and the risks associated with leaving an open construction site at the President's home and office.

"The district court seized supervision of construction at the White House, and my colleagues affirm this judicial overreach," Rao said. "Because the injunction is beyond the proper province of the federal courts, construction should be allowed to continue."

Trump described the ruling as politically motivated and unlawful, saying the military and Secret Service considered the legal action a national security concern because the complex was designed to protect the country and future presidents.

According to Trump, the integrated project would include bomb shelters, a hospital and medical facilities, top-secret military installations, protective partitioning and missile-resistant steel.

He said the complex would also feature drone-proof ceilings and roofs, military-grade ventilation and glass designed to withstand bullets, ballistic impacts and blasts.

"It is all tied together as one big, expensive, and very complex unit, which is vital for National Security and Military Operations of the United States of America!" Trump said.

The President argued that the court ruling could jeopardise the safety of White House employees, future presidents and their families. He added that visiting heads of state, dignitaries and members of the public could also be affected.

Trump said the secure ballroom forming part of the project was being constructed ahead of schedule and under budget. He described it as a gift from himself and other private supporters and said it would not impose any cost on taxpayers.

"The entire Complex, Military and all, is largely built, fabricated, and paid for. Much is already on site, or being delivered," he said.

Trump called for the Supreme Court to overturn the decision in its entirety.

Judge Neomi Rao was appointed to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit during Trump's first term. The US Senate confirmed her appointment in 2019 after she had served as administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.