Washington– president Donald Trump This week he quietly appointed four new members to the Fine Arts Commission, One of the two federal committees Reviewing his plan to build a ballroom in the White House.
One of the four is James McCrearythe architect who led Trump’s now $400 million ballroom project He replaced him late last year. McCreary also served on the committee during Trump’s first term as president.
The White House announced the project last summer, and Trump later demolished the East Wing to make room for the ballroom. the National Trust for Historic Preservation She filed a lawsuit in federal court to stop construction until the Commission of Fine Arts and a second federal commission gave their approval.
The four new members were revealed in court papers filed by a White House official on Thursday as part of that lawsuit. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The committee, which usually includes seven members, has been vacant for months. Trump fired six commissioners last fall after the East Wing was demolished. A seventh commissioner, who was chairman of the committee, resigned after Trump took office last year due to the expiration of his term.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation accused the Trump administration of this Violation of federal laws By starting the project before it is submitted for independent review by committees and Congress, as well as the public.
The remaining three Trump-appointed members of the Fine Arts Commission are: Mary Ann Carter of Tennessee; Roger Kimball of Connecticut; and Matthew Taylor in Washington, D.C
The National Capital Planning Commission, the second federal panel that oversees construction on federal lands, including the White House grounds, held a preliminary hearing. Presentation about the hall At its meeting on January 8.