CBS reporter Weijia Jiang confronted White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday over President Donald Trump’s removal of the East Wing of the White House to build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom.
The exchange occurred during a news conference when Jiang asked whether Trump followed proper protocols for construction.
“The White House has explained that the reason you did not submit construction plans to the NCPC (National Capital Planning Commission) is because that commission, along with others, does not oversee demolitions, only construction, and so far has not built anything,” Jiang told Leavitt.
“Can you help us understand? Can the president tear down anything he wants without oversight, can he tear down this building or, say, the Jefferson Memorial?” -Jiang asked.
Leavitt responded by saying that it is not Trump’s legal opinion, but that of the NCPC.
“That is a legal opinion that the NCPC has held for many years,” Leavitt said. “They have consistently failed, their general counsel has said that when it comes to phase one of this project, the demolition of the current east wing structure, a legal filing is not required for that; only the vertical construction will require a filing. And that is a legal opinion of theirs. We are following that legal opinion.”
Leavitt went on to state that several other presidents have updated the White House in the past, including the press room they are in.
“There have been many presidents in the past who have left their mark on this beautiful White House complex. This briefing room… was never a briefing room, but a swimming pool.” Leavitt said. “There have been presidents who have completely torn down the executive mansion.”
That’s when Jiang intervened again.
“So it seems like the answer is, ‘Yes, you can tear down whatever you want,’” he said.
But Leavitt intervened and said, “That’s not what we’re saying. It’s a legal opinion that’s been held for many years.”
Leavitt then brought out photographic examples of all the times the White House had undergone renovation, pointing out the construction of both the West Wing and the West Terrace in 1902.
“I’m asking about demolition, demolition,” Jiang inserted, trying to convey that he is referring to the deconstructions versus the constructions that have been done in the White House. Leavitt continued listing the buildings.
“Can you demolish everything you want?” Jiang continued forward.
“Look at that debris,” Leavitt said. “How did that debris get there?”
Jiang was one of the few to question Leavitt about the demolition. ABC’s Mary Bruce also pressed the press secretary for a response.
“The president had initially said that this project would not interfere with or touch the current structure,” Bruce said. “Now you’re saying let’s do this right, you realized the east wing had to be demolished. This is the people’s house. Why not inform the public of that change and when it was decided the east wing would have to be demolished?”
Photos of Thursday’s demolition showed the east wing is now just rubble. Additionally, images taken appear to show that not only has the East Wing been removed, but the deconstruction has extended to the East Colonnade, which is where the White House movie theater has hosted screenings for years. The cost of the ballroom so far is $300 million, with some of the money coming from donors like Google, Apple and Amazon.
You can watch Jiang and Leavitt’s exchange in the video above.
The post CBS Reporter Argues With Karoline Leavitt About East Wing Demolition: ‘Can The President Tear Down Anything He Wants?’ | The video first appeared on TheWrap.