WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Monday began tearing down part of the East Wing, the first lady’s traditional base of operations, to build President Donald Trump’s ballroom.
The Washington Post shared dramatic photos of the demolition work on its website that showed a backhoe ripping apart the facade of the east wing and windows and other parts of the building lying in tatters on the ground. Some journalists watched from a park near the Treasury Department, which is next to the east wing.
In September, tree felling and other site preparation work began.
The White House insists it does not need approval from the National Capital Planning Commission for demolition work, only for new construction. The commission is responsible for approving construction work and major renovations of government buildings in the Washington area. Its president is Will Scharf, who is also White House staff secretary and one of Trump’s top advisers.
The commission did not approve construction and it was unclear whether the White House had submitted plans for the ballroom to the agency. The commission’s offices are closed due to the government shutdown.
The Republican president has said he is adding a massive 90,000-square-foot ballroom because the East Room, which is the largest room in the White House with a capacity of about 200 people, is too small and he doesn’t like the idea of hosting events in pavilions on the South Lawn.
The ballroom will seat 999 people, Trump said last week.
The White House has said it will be finished before his term ends in January 2029.