• Trump invokes national security to justify presidential actions.
• He has cited security concerns for various projects, including a $400 million White House ballroom.
• Legal experts say Trump applies national security claims more broadly than predecessors.
• Critics argue the move is a political shield to counter opposition.

Trump's reliance on national security claims may indicate a shift in his strategy to bolster presidential authority, which could have implications for the balance of power in the US government. This approach may also suggest that the administration sees security justifications as a useful way to strengthen Trump's position when his priorities run into legal challenges, which could have broader implications for the role of national security in US politics.