A federal commission approved President Donald Trump’s plans Thursday for a $400 million White House ballroom, asserting a federal court’s order to halt construction has no bearing on its review process.
A majority of the National Capital Planning Commission endorsed a slightly modified design — including removing a feature derided as the “stairs to nowhere” on the South Portico — with only D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson voting against the plans. Both of Mayor Muriel Bowser’s appointees voted “present.”
The commission’s approval — which was expected given the group is stacked President Donald Trump’s deputies — came almost a month after the panel heard hours of criticism about the design plans for the massive ballroom to replace the demolished East Wing of the White House.
Commission Chair William Scharf dismissed complaints of the expansion itself, comparing it to a series of headlines condemning past White House construction projects, while also taking aim at “negative comments” focused on the demolition process, interior design and the president himself.
