A Virginia couple has filed an emergency motion in Federal Court seeking to block Donald Trump’s demolition of the East Wing of the White House.
The news comes after the Trump administration shared plans to build a new and large ballroom. They argued that the demolition and construction move lacks necessary legal approvals, violates federal laws like the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Capital Planning Act, and circumvented the planning review process.
The motion named Trump and officials, including the National Park Service director, among the defendants, while preservation groups and critics expressed serious concern that the historic character of the White House could be permanently altered.
The White House and Trump’s team contend that this project is privately funded by donors and within his authority, and part of an effort to modernize the look of the classic building. The case raises novel legal queries about standing and the applicability of federal preservation laws to the Executive Mansion, and the outcome that might affect whether the demolition proceeds or comes to a halt.
In the letter, the Trust also expressed serious concern to the National Capital Planning Commission and the National Park Service that the size of this ballroom will overwhelm the Executive Mansion which stands at 55,000 square feet and might permanently disrupt the carefully balanced classical design of the building.