US EditionTrump Appointees Raise Concerns Over Scale of Proposed White House Ballroom Expansion
A federal judge doubts the White House can build a nearly 90,000-square-foot ballroom without Congress, amid legal challenges and preservationist opposition.
- On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon expressed deep skepticism about the White House's authority to build President Donald Trump's $400 million ballroom and sharply rebuked a government lawyer.
- The National Trust for Historic Preservation argues the National Park Service issued an environmental assessment only after the East Wing was demolished and seeks a preliminary injunction until Congress authorizes work.
- Lead architect Shalom Baranes presented renderings showing the proposed addition includes a 22,000-square-foot ballroom and a 10-column, multistory porch; the Commission of Fine Arts requested 3D scale models and an in-person session.
- Justice Department lawyer Jacob Roth told the judge the president has statutory authority, the administration said above-ground construction is not planned until April, and Judge Leon expects a ruling in the coming weeks.
- Earlier this month, the Commission of Fine Arts, with a Trump-majority and chairman Rodney Mims Cook Jr., questioned the project's scale and requested 3D models as public comments were mostly negative.
143 Articles
143 Articles
Judge Casts Doubt on Trump's Ballroom Authority
A federal judge asked some sharp questions Thursday about President Trump's legal authority to knock down part of the White House to make room for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom US District Judge Richard Leon repeatedly pressed Justice Department lawyers to identify what law actually lets Trump demolish the East Wing...
Trump eyes DC Lafayette Square renovation ahead of America 250
President Donald Trump’s agenda to beautify the country’s capital ahead of the United States’s 250th anniversary of independence is taking shape just across from the White House. In keeping with Trump’s January executive order, the National Park Service is renovating aspects of at least 18 historic structures and monuments across Washington, D.C., including Lafayette Square. Work has now officially begun to beautify the public square, which sit…
The Billings Gazette
Trump appointees ask about White House ballroom's design, scale — and want to see models
The Commission on Fine Arts discussion also included a brief review of mostly negative public comments on Trump's plans.
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