Trump invokes national security to defend multiple Washington construction projects

President Trump has used national security reasons to justify several controversial decisions. He banned CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from the White House, saying they were a security threat. He also announced plans for a 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington, with snipers and drones, and a large 90,000-square-foot ballroom on White House grounds. Both were described as security measures. Trump has used similar reasoning to restrict travel from some countries and to block new wind energy projects. Legal experts are doubtful. One Yale law professor called the national security arguments "pretextual," meaning they are not the real reason. Courts usually respect presidential decisions on security, but this respect has limits. Several of Trump's building projects are already facing legal challenges.