India, Aug. 22 -- The legal fight over President Donald Trump's plan to transform the White House grounds has entered a new stage, with construction crews allowed to keep working while the Supreme Court considers whether the project can legally continue.

Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily paused a lower-court order that would have stopped most construction, giving the justices more time to examine the administration's emergency appeal.

Roberts' administrative stay does not mean the Supreme Court has approved Trump's $400 million ballroom project. It simply keeps construction moving for now while the court decides what to do next. The order contained no explanation, vote count or dissent, and Roberts is expected to refer the matter t...