New architect tapped to lead White House ballroom project
Plans for the White House ballroom are moving forward under new architectural guidelines after controversy over the project’s size.
President Donald Trump said in a Jan. 25 post on Truth Social that the preservation group’s lawsuit against the $400 million ballroom construction has exposed “top secret facts” that the U.S. military and Secret Service are involved in several aspects of the project, including the design.
In December, the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit against President Trump and several federal agencies to halt construction, alleging that the project had not undergone a review process, had not completed a proper environmental assessment, and had not sought approval from Congress.
President Trump disputed the group’s claims, saying, “At no time has the President needed to authorize a change or enhancement on any special basis, no matter how large (and important!) that enhancement may be.”
“Furthermore, in this case, it was done with the planning, consent, and approval of the highest levels of the U.S. military and secret intelligence services. By filing this ridiculous lawsuit, unfortunately, previously secret facts have already been exposed,” he wrote.
The east wing, under which an underground bomb shelter had been built since the 1940s, was demolished in October to make way for a banquet hall amid concerns that the White House would become a target for air raids during World War II.
According to the White House Historical Society, the underground bomb shelter was built under the East Tower for President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
“This secret space featured thick concrete walls and a steel-clad ceiling, and contained a small presidential bedroom and bathroom. A nearby room was equipped with ventilation masks, food storage, and communications equipment,” WHHS said in a Facebook post. “This space is now much more modern. It is known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC) and can become the president’s command center if needed.”
A hearing on the case was held on January 22nd in Washington, D.C., by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon.
Reuters reported that during the hearing, Leon questioned whether President Trump had the legal authority to demolish the East Tower with plans to build a banquet hall in its place without approval or oversight from Congress.
Reuters reported that Leung was furious, telling him to “take it seriously” after an administration lawyer drew similarities to the construction of a swimming pool and other minor renovations during President Gerald Ford’s administration in the 1970s.
In a court filing by the Trump administration in response to the lawsuit, Matthew Quinn, deputy director of the U.S. Secret Service, said the agency’s ability to protect the president, the presidential family, and White House facilities would be “impeded” until the remaining work is completed.
The Trump administration maintains that the National Capital Planning Commission, which provides construction and zoning advice to Washington, D.C. and approves various federal construction projects, has no jurisdiction over demolition, only construction. NCPC is currently considering construction of the project.
The demolition of the east wing drew widespread criticism, but it was not protected by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The law requires reviews of projects that affect most historic buildings, but explicitly exempts the White House, the Supreme Court building and the U.S. Capitol.
The 90,000-square-foot ballroom project has a $400 million price tag and is expected to seat about 1,000 people. This is an increase from plans announced in July for a banquet hall that would seat 650 people at a cost of $200 million.
Funding for projects has also changed. In June, President Trump posted on Truth Social that he had “toured the site of the new ballroom that will be built,” calling it “a tribute to the man known as Donald J. Trump in the White House.”
However, a White House announcement in July announced that several other people were joining the movement.
“President Trump and other Patriot donors have generously pledged the funds needed for the new addition,” the newspaper said.
Donors included U.S. companies that do business with the U.S. government, including Palantir, Lockheed Martin, and Meta.
“This is a $300-$400 million (depending on the scope and quality of interior finishes!) gift to the United States of America (zero taxpayer funds!) for much-needed space that successive presidents and administrations have sought for over 150 years,” Trump wrote on January 25.
On March 5, NCPC members are scheduled to vote on the project. An online portal for the public to register to speak is scheduled to open on February 12, according to recently filed court documents. USA TODAY first reported on the filing.
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is USA TODAY’s White House correspondent. You can follow her at X @SwapnaVenugopal.
