The White House has initiated demolition work on part of the East Wing, setting the stage for President Donald Trump’s ambitious $250 million ballroom project. This move has sparked controversy as it proceeds without the required approval from the federal agency tasked with overseeing such constructions.
Dramatic images emerging from the scene depict heavy machinery dismantling the East Wing’s façade, leaving windows and structural elements strewn about the ground. Observers captured the demolition from a nearby park adjacent to the Treasury Department, located next to the East Wing.
In a social media announcement, President Trump heralded the start of construction, mentioning the ongoing work while hosting the 2025 college baseball champions, Louisiana State University and LSU-Shreveport, in the East Room. He commented on the construction, saying, “We have a lot of construction going on, which you might hear periodically,” adding that the activities had only just begun.
Despite the absence of approval from the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), which oversees building renovations and construction in the Washington area, the White House has moved forward with the project. Will Scharf, the committee chairman and a top aide to Trump, indicated at a recent NCPC meeting that the agency does not oversee demolition or site preparation on federal property. “What we deal with is essentially construction, vertical build,” he stated.
The timeline regarding whether the White House has submitted formal plans to the NCPC remains unclear, as the agency’s offices are currently closed due to a government shutdown. In July, Trump had emphasized that the ballroom project would be constructed without interfering with the historic mansion, declaring, “It’ll be near it but not touching it and pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of.”
The East Wing, constructed in 1902 and home to the first lady’s offices among others, has undergone various renovations over the years, most notably the addition of a second story in 1942. Addressing concerns regarding the disruption during this extensive construction, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that East Wing offices will be temporarily relocated. She assured that “nothing will be torn down” during the renovation process.
Trump has reiterated that a ballroom has been a desire among U.S. presidents for 150 years, claiming the addition of a grand 90,000-square-foot glass-walled space is necessary due to the limited capacity of the East Room, which accommodates only around 200 people. Additionally, he expressed dissatisfaction with hosting world leaders in makeshift venues on the South Lawn.
In his announcement, Trump asserted that the project will incur
image source from：pbs
