NPR is reporting that the Supreme Court has ruled President Donald J Trump can proceed with constructing a ballroom at the former East Wing of the White House without congressional approval. Chief Justice John Roberts and the court's three liberal justices dissented. The high court did not address the legality of the project but stated the National Trust for Historic Preservation lacked standing to sue. The new ballroom is projected to cost taxpayers at least $300 million. NPR's Carrie Johnson said construction is allowed to continue, with crews working 20 hours a day, seven days a week, and substantial progress could be made before the legal issue is fully addressed. Roberts wrote in his dissent that Congress must approve buildings on federal park grounds, a requirement he said has not been met.
NPR is also reporting that Dan Driscoll has resigned as secretary of the Army after 18 months. Driscoll, the youngest-ever Army secretary at 38, served as the Army's top civilian leader. Tensions had reportedly risen between Driscoll and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has dismissed many top military officers. NPR's Greg Myre said Driscoll's resignation is significant amid ongoing turmoil at the Pentagon and the continuing war in Iran. Myre noted Driscoll is close to Vice President JD Vance, and there was speculation Driscoll would take a key role in Vance’s presidential campaign.
Additionally, NPR is reporting that finance ministers from the world's largest economies are meeting for the G-20 summit in North Carolina to discuss faster economic growth and tightening economic pressure on Iran. This is the first time the U.S. has hosted the summit in over a decade. NPR's Scott Horsley said the U.S. has launched "Operation Economic Outcast" to cut Iran’s global economic ties, threatening to penalize countries that do business with Tehran. The stalemate with Iran has led to significantly higher gasoline and diesel prices. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent believes economic growth can help address the growing U.S. debt, though fiscal watchdogs are doubtful, as federal debt is increasing at three times the rate of the overall economy. Horsley also noted energy experts disagree with Bessent's claim that oil pipelines bypassing the Strait of Hormuz will make the shipping route irrelevant in two years.
Finally, NPR is reporting on a newly released whistleblower report warning that the U.S. Postal Service could "derail" the midterm election by rushing out "untested" technology. This is part of President Trump's efforts to restrict mail-in voting. USPS has been preparing an online portal for state election officials to submit absentee voters' names and ballot envelope barcodes, but testing has been inadequate, according to the whistleblower. If courts allow USPS to proceed, issues with the portal could prevent eligible absentee voters from receiving their mail-in ballots on time or at all.