The Trump administration is pressing forward with plans to mine the deep sea off American Samoa. Environmental groups and local chiefs have filed a lawsuit against that move. The case challenges the federal decision to advance the project. The dispute places the administration’s mining policy against opposition led by local chiefs. The White House wants to continue moving the project forward while the courts consider the complaint. The lawsuit therefore creates a legal obstacle to the planned mining operation. Its outcome could affect the scope and timetable of the work in American Samoa.