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 proposed to be 250 feet tall.
The council said the National Park Service had proposed a plan for mitigating potential harms to the historic properties, but local historic preservation officers raised concerns with the purpose and need of the Triumphal Arch.
Democratic Virginia Congressman Don Beyer said excavation work on the site where the arch will stand has already begun.
“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.
Several Democratic lawmakers say the arch violates the Commemorative Works Act, which requires congressional approval for memorials on federal land in or near D.C.
Trump has said the arch will be the greatest and most beautiful structure anywhere in the world.
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.
Changes pursued by Trump at the White House include demolishing the East Wing to build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom.
Trump has backed plans for a 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery and a National Garden of American Heroes.
Opinion: Trump's ballroom win highlights need for serious judicial nominees
President Trump ordered construction of a White House ballroom and a secure underground military facility.
Trump appointed Emil Bove as a U.S. Circuit Judge.
A D.C. Circuit panel stayed Leon's injunction regarding sanctions against Albanese, and the sanctions remain in effect.
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.
A preliminary NTSB report blamed communication issues for Marine One's crew failing to give required three minutes' notice to air traffic controllers before takeoff.
The Marine One crew said communications had been spotty and agreed to use other means of communicating with the tower when unable to reach them.
Donald Trump Reasserts White House Ballroom Construction Is Free for Taxpayers
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.
The Washington Post reported the White House knew the work was projected to rely heavily on taxpayer dollars from the moment it was announced.
The White House has said in recent court filings that 65% of the project has already been completed.
“the work was projected to rely heavily on taxpayer dollars from the moment it was announced,”
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,'”
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.
Chief Justice John Roberts granted a temporary stay blocking lower court decisions that paused the aboveground construction of the White House ballroom project.
“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!”
US Chief Justice allows construction on White House ballroom project to proceed
Chief Justice John Roberts issued a temporary order allowing construction on President Donald Trump's $400 million White House ballroom project to continue while the Supreme Court considers an emergency request from the administration.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon previously ordered work on the project to proceed only belowground on bunkers and military installations.
According to the Trump administration, 65% of the work on the planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom has been completed.
“When they say proceed, I think that’s a good thing. That’s a good thing,”
Trump shows off White House renovations and new helipad
Trump is slated to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sept. 24.
Trump announced the helipad in July from the Oval Office.
A spokesperson for Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky's parent company, told ABC News that its contribution was made to the National Park Service.
“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'
Solicitor General John Sauer argued in a filing that the ballroom project provides vital security features of a military complex.
The Supreme Court justices are expected to issue a decision on a stay by the end of the week when the injunction is set to take effect.
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.
“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,”