A lawyer for the Justice Department asserted on Friday that the Trump administration believes the White House ballroom project cannot be halted by the courts, and that even a hypothetical demolition of the Statue of Liberty by the president would be beyond legal challenge.

During oral arguments before a federal appeals court panel, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth stated that judges could not stop the construction of the controversial ballroom. The arguments centered on a lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation challenging the project.

Roth's argument stemmed from the administration's position that the National Trust lacked legal standing to sue. He contended that the former East Wing had already been demolished and that construction on its replacement was so advanced, with over three million pounds of steel rebar on site, that any alleged harm was irreparable. "If you move fast enough, nobody has standing to challenge it?" Judge Patricia Millett questioned, to which Roth replied, "I do think that that is correct."

Judge Millett introduced a hypothetical scenario, asking Roth if the same logic would apply if the administration decided to "bulldoze the Statue of Liberty." Roth's affirmative response, acknowledging that "nothing can be done," reportedly elicited gasps from those present in the courtroom.

The case involves the construction of a new ballroom and associated structures at the White House. The National Trust for Historic Preservation argues that its congressional charter grants it the authority to sue to protect historic sites like the White House complex.

The judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit panel appeared to grapple with the administration's interpretation of laws passed decades ago that they claim authorize the current construction. While expressing skepticism about President Trump's authority to proceed without congressional approval, the panel seemed divided on whether the National Trust had the right to bring the suit.

New renderings and a 31-page report detailing the White House ballroom project were submitted to the panels reviewing the construction. These documents offer different angles and features of the proposed addition to the executive mansion.

The Justice Department's stance, suggesting that rapid action can render legal challenges moot, drew sharp criticism from Judge Millett, who characterized it as a "move fast and break things approach."