A federal panel reviewing Donald Trump's planned $400 million ballroom addition to the White House postponed an expected vote on the project until April 2, citing the "large amount of public input" submitted during the public comment period. The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) had been expected to cast a final vote on Thursday.
Key Takeaways
A federal panel delayed its vote on Donald Trump's $400 million White House ballroom project until April 2 due to overwhelming public input. The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) received over 35,000 comments, with more than 98% opposing the plan.
- NCPC postpones vote on Trump's ballroom project until April 2
- Over 35,000 public comments submitted, majority opposed to the plan
- White House argues demolition did not require commission approval
- Historic preservation groups file lawsuit to block construction
The NCPC received more than 35,000 written comments about the project, with the majority opposing Trump's plans to build a 90,000 sq ft ballroom where the East Wing of the White House once stood. The East Wing was demolished in October, and White House officials argued that the demolition did not require the commission's approval.
According to an analysis by The New York Times, more than 98% of the roughly 32,000 submitted comments opposed the plan. Respondents described the proposed design as "gaudy and cheap". The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Guardian on the delayed vote.
In a statement to The New York Times, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said that the negative comments submitted about the ballroom "are clearly stemming from an organized campaign of Trump-deranged liberals who clearly have no style or taste". The postponed vote comes as Trump has appointed allies to positions on the NCPC commission.
The Commission of Fine Arts, which is also tasked with reviewing the ballroom plans and where Trump has installed loyalists, voted to approve the ballroom project last month. Historic preservationist groups have sued and attempted to halt the project. In December, the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the construction of the new ballroom.
The NCPC is scheduled to vote on April 2 after considering all public comments and recommendations from its executive director.
According to CBS News, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has renewed its legal challenge, arguing that the Trump administration lacks legal authority to build the ballroom without congressional approval. The group claims a federal law permitting presidential spending on White House alterations only applies to minor projects funded by Congress, not large-scale ventures financed by private donations.
The National Park Service expects the project's completion in summer 2028, with vertical construction potentially starting as early as next month. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon previously suggested that the preservation group refocus its legal arguments on whether the ballroom project exceeds presidential authority.
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