WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Monday began demolishing part of the East Wing, the first lady’s traditional home base, to build a ballroom for President Donald Trump.
The Washington Post shared dramatic photos of the demolition work on its website, showing a backhoe shredding the east wing’s exterior walls, windows and other building components to the ground. Some reporters watched from a park near the Treasury Department, next door to the east wing.
Tree clearing and other site preparation began in September.
The White House insists the demolition work does not require approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, only approval for new construction. The committee is responsible for approving construction projects and major renovations of government buildings in Washington. Its chairman is Will Scharf, who is also the White House secretary of staff and a top Trump aide.
The commission has not yet approved the construction, and it is unclear whether the White House has submitted plans for the ballroom to the agency. The commission’s offices are closed due to the government shutdown.
The Republican president said he would add a massive 90,000-square-foot ballroom because the East Room is the largest room in the White House and can accommodate about 200 people, but it is too small and he doesn’t like hosting events in the South Lawn pavilion.
Trump said last week that the ballroom can accommodate 999 people.
The White House said the project will be completed before the end of his term in January 2029.
