Construction crews have started demolishing the White House
East Wing to make way for Donald Trump's planned $250 million ballroom.
The remodeling was even referred to as an "utter desecration" by one former MP.
The Washington Post claimed on Monday that demolition is underway and posted a photograph showing construction in progress and portions of the outside torn down. The Post also identified two eyewitnesses and secured and published photos of the demolition operation.
Parts of the East Wing have also been demolished, according to other photos, including ones from the New York Post.
In August, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump met in the Oval Office.
The Guardian reached out to the White House for comment, but received no response.
At a ceremony in Washington DC celebrating the NCAA champion Louisiana State University baseball team on Monday, Trump said his administration plans to build “the most beautiful ballroom in the country”.
“I didn’t know I’d be standing here right now because, right on the other side, you have a lot of construction going on, which you might hear periodically,”
he said during the White House event.
In July, plans were revealed to construct a massive $250 million ballroom addition to the White House, one of the biggest projects there in almost a century. The refurbished venue would accommodate up to 650 people and be 90,000 square feet (8,300 square meters), according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt at the time. Officials stated that Trump and anonymous contributors will cover the costs.
In August, there were rumors that construction might start in September. It is anticipated to be finished in January 2029, before the conclusion of Trump's second term.
According to the Washington Post, Trump had previously stated that the new building would not "interfere with the current building."
Which federal permits were issued for the East Wing demolition?
The White House has reportedly not attained
formal approval from the National Capital Planning Commission( NCPC) for
the demolition of the East Wing, as the commission's governance
does n't extend to demolition on civil property.
According to Will Scharf, who serves as the White House staff clerk and was appointed by President Trump to lead the NCPC, the commission doesn't bear approval for demolition conditioning, allowing the East Wing demolition to do without formal permits from this body.
Construction work, distinct from demolition , does bear NCPC blessing, and it remains unclear whether the administration has submitted the necessary plans.