Trump White House ballroom construction project
One page that accretes the verified record as the story develops. Every fact keeps its date and its sources.
Trump's plans for massive arch move ahead
The arch is to be built just outside Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
The arch is proposed to be 250 feet tall.
The arch would be about 4 miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the site of the deadly 2025 midair crash between a military helicopter and commercial plane.
“top grade Military Complex/Triumphal Arch, to house, store, and have the rapid ability to use large numbers of drones, plus Snipers, on both the roof and plaza areas, and additionally have and hold large quantities of sniper ammunition in storage.”
Trump arch report says adverse effects on nearby monuments but will proceed
The arch received initial approval in July from the National Capital Planning Commission, a federal agency led by Trump's hand-picked appointees.
The National Park Service acknowledged that the proposed construction of a 250-foot triumphal arch along the Potomac River at the foot of Arlington National Cemetery will cause adverse effects on the setting and views along the river.
The arch still needs final approval from the National Capital Planning Commission.
Trump touts White House renovations
The administration has made major changes to other structures in Washington, including renovating the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the Kennedy Center.
Trump said the White House was a "dump" before the renovations.
Trump said the Department of the Interior and various contractors are doing a "fantastic job" with the renovations.
Opinion: Trump's ballroom win highlights need for serious judicial nominees
Alison Hoagland is a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and filed the lawsuit against the ballroom construction.
President Trump ordered construction of a White House ballroom and a secure underground military facility.
Chief Justice Roberts authored Trump v. Barbara, an opinion on birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants.
Marine One suffers communication failure; White House construction played part in Trump helicopter incident
On Thursday, August 28, President Trump was inside Marine One when the helicopter lost communication with air traffic control and another helicopter in the squad had to relay messages.
During the 4 August incident, the Marine One crew attempted at least twice to radio controllers but were unable to do so.
The back-up communication failed on 4 August when Marine One was also unable to contact controllers via a helicopter facility at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling.
Donald Trump Reasserts White House Ballroom Construction Is Free for Taxpayers
The White House ballroom is a 90,000-square-foot addition.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued the White House, alleging the Trump administration doesn't have the authority to build the ballroom without Congressional approval.
Chief Justice John Roberts did not give any indication as to when a more permanent decision could be announced.
“the work was projected to rely heavily on taxpayer dollars from the moment it was announced,”
US Chief Justice allows construction on White House ballroom project to proceed
Justice Department court filings indicate that approximately $200 million in private donations has been spent or committed on the ballroom project.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation argued that Trump lacked unilateral authority to undertake the construction project, which included the demolition of the East Wing.
Prior lower-court rulings had ordered a halt to aboveground construction because the project lacked congressional approval.
“When they say proceed, I think that’s a good thing. That’s a good thing,”
Supreme Court Temporarily Permits Construction on Trump Ballroom Project
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld a lower court ruling on August 7, establishing a Friday deadline to halt construction absent Supreme Court intervention.
The Trump administration stated in court filings that the $400 million privately funded project was 65% complete as of August 14.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation initiated the legal challenge against the demolition of the East Wing and construction of the ballroom.
“The Military/Ballroom Complex being built on the hallowed grounds of the White House, which is so vital for National Security, will be THE GREATEST OF ITS KIND!”
Supreme Court Permits Construction of White House Ballroom to Proceed
The Trump administration has stated that 65 percent of the work on the ballroom project has been completed.
Demolition of the White House East Wing was initiated to make way for the ballroom project.
The Trump administration argued in its emergency application that the ballroom project is an integrated military complex critical to protecting the president, his family, White House staff, and visiting foreign leaders.
“You know, that started off as a ballroom. And before we started work, the military came to see me. And they say, 'Sir, we have an opportunity to do something incredible here. And we've been trying to do it for 100 years, but we've never had an opportunity like that,'”
Trump shows off White House renovations and new helipad
Trump said the helipad can land any helicopter in the world regardless of size or power.
President Donald Trump signed his name on one of the slabs of a new multimillion-dollar granite helipad being built on the White House South Lawn.
Trump said the signatures on the project would be on the back of the head of the eagle in the U.S. seal and would not be visible once the project is complete.
“It’s all been top-soiled. In other words, we put top soil, brand new earth on top. Very, you know, very – a lot of good ingredients in that earth for grass. If you’re grass, you’re very happy,”
Trump calls White House ballroom a 'military complex'
The National Trust for Historic Preservation said the injunction does not prevent work on the bunker, securing the East Wing site, or ensuring presidential safety.
The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to stay a court order halting most above-ground construction of a new White House ballroom.
Solicitor General John Sauer argued in a filing that the ballroom project provides vital security features of a military complex.
“On the Trust’s logic, anyone with plans to see the most famous building in the world -- from a tourist in Alaska planning to visit D.C., to a consultant with regular flights into DCA [Washington Reagan National Airport], or even a virtual sightseer watching a video tour online -- has a spectator’s veto to challenge the Project,”
Trump calls ballroom a 'military complex' in bid to complete White House construction
“On the Trust’s logic, anyone with plans to see the most famous building in the world -- from a tourist in Alaska planning to visit D.C., to a consultant with regular flights into DCA [Washington Reagan National Airport], or even a virtual sightseer watching a video tour online -- has a spectator’s veto to challenge the Project,”