Judge’s Order

Trump Officials Claim Ballroom Project Halt is National Security Risk

The Trump administration is urging a federal appeals court to overturn a judge’s order halting the construction of a $400 million White House ballroom, arguing that the pause poses a grave security risk to the President and his staff. The National Park Service contends that the demolition and ongoing construction, including plans for bomb shelters and military installations, are critical for national security and that the current open construction site is more vulnerable to threats than a fortified facility. Judge Richard Leon had previously ruled that the President lacked the authority to approve the project without Congressional consent, a decision the administration seeks to delay or reverse.

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Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Firing Workers During Shutdown, Skepticism Abounds

A federal judge in San Francisco has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from firing workers during the ongoing government shutdown. The judge’s order came in response to layoff notices issued by federal agencies, which the administration said were aimed at reducing the size of the federal government to pressure Democratic lawmakers. The American Federation of Government Employees and other unions argued the firings were an abuse of power and sought a restraining order, citing the shutdown’s impact on programs and personnel. The administration countered that the district court lacked jurisdiction over agency employment decisions, while the shutdown persisted with potential for record duration.

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