Scharf has made the same argument several times since, a position critics have blasted as absurd because those three steps are so closely linked — & because part of the commission’s duty in reviewing projects is to consider the #preservation of buildings that already exist.

#Trump #law #landmark #EastWing #architecture #environment #UShistory

Scharf responded more than seven weeks‼️ later, telling Turner that #Trump admin officials did not consult with or get the approval of the commission before tearing down the #EastWing. But, he added, they were not required to since the commission’s review process covers only “vertical” construction — not demolition or site preparation.[ridiculous]

#law #landmark #preservation #architecture #environment #UShistory

The communication, obtained by the govt watchdog group Public Citizen, adds to the public understanding of sweeping concerns voiced by members of #Congress, preservationists & others over #transparency & other issues with Trump’s project. A federal judge is weighing a legal challenge to the construction.

#Trump #law #landmark #preservation #EastWing #architecture #environment #UShistory

Scharf has made the same argument several times since, a position critics have blasted as absurd because those three steps are so closely linked — & because part of the commission’s duty in reviewing projects is to consider the #preservation of buildings that already exist.

#Trump #law #landmark #EastWing #architecture #environment #UShistory

Turner’s correspondence to Will Scharf, Trump’s staff secretary & chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission, the review cmte with the power to approve or reject the ballroom project, raised questions about #oversight, #transparency & process, including whether the #WhiteHouse had taken steps to preserve #artifacts.

#Trump #law #landmark #preservation #EastWing #architecture #environment #UShistory

“The stark images of the #EastWing demolished in mere days were disturbing to Americans who cherish #preservation of our nation’s #history,” Rep. Michael R. Turner (R-Ohio), co-chair of the congressional #HistoricPreservation Caucus, wrote in an Oct. 24 letter obtained through a #FOIA request….

#Trump #law #landmark #preservation #architecture #environment #UShistory

As #GOP leaders leaped to defend Trump’s decision to tear down the #EastWing of the #WhiteHouse last year, one #Republican lawmaker *privately* warned a senior White House aide that he had “substantial concerns” & demanded answers about how the decision was made.


Admin officials pledged the project would not “interfere” with existing structures, & the public had no warning about the demolition.


#Trump #law #landmark #preservation #architecture #environment #UShistory

Scharf responded more than seven weeks‼️ later, telling Turner that #Trump admin officials did not consult with or get the approval of the commission before tearing down the #EastWing. But, he added, they were not required to since the commission’s review process covers only “vertical” construction — not demolition or site preparation.[ridiculous]

#law #landmark #preservation #architecture #environment #UShistory

They’re so afraid of #Trump siccing his followers on them, they only ever voice opposition in private.

Behind closed-doors #GOP lawmaker questioned ‘disturbing’ #EastWing demolition

Rep. #MichaelTurner, co-chair of the congressional #HistoricPreservation Caucus, wrote to a top White House aide about his “substantial concerns” as party leaders publicly backed Trump’s decision.

#law #landmark #preservation #architecture #environment #UShistory
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/02/24/trump-ballroom-gop-concerns/

The communication, obtained by the govt watchdog group Public Citizen, adds to the public understanding of sweeping concerns voiced by members of #Congress, preservationists & others over #transparency & other issues with Trump’s project. A federal judge is weighing a legal challenge to the construction.

#Trump #law #landmark #preservation #EastWing #architecture #environment #UShistory

Turner’s correspondence to Will Scharf, Trump’s staff secretary & chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission, the review cmte with the power to approve or reject the ballroom project, raised questions about #oversight, #transparency & process, including whether the #WhiteHouse had taken steps to preserve #artifacts.

#Trump #law #landmark #preservation #EastWing #architecture #environment #UShistory

“The stark images of the #EastWing demolished in mere days were disturbing to Americans who cherish #preservation of our nation’s #history,” Rep. Michael R. Turner (R-Ohio), co-chair of the congressional #HistoricPreservation Caucus, wrote in an Oct. 24 letter obtained through a #FOIA request….

#Trump #law #landmark #preservation #architecture #environment #UShistory

As #GOP leaders leaped to defend Trump’s decision to tear down the #EastWing of the #WhiteHouse last year, one #Republican lawmaker *privately* warned a senior White House aide that he had “substantial concerns” & demanded answers about how the decision was made.


Admin officials pledged the project would not “interfere” with existing structures, & the public had no warning about the demolition.


#Trump #law #landmark #preservation #architecture #environment #UShistory

They’re so afraid of #Trump siccing his followers on them, they only ever voice opposition in private.

Behind closed-doors #GOP lawmaker questioned ‘disturbing’ #EastWing demolition

Rep. #MichaelTurner, co-chair of the congressional #HistoricPreservation Caucus, wrote to a top White House aide about his “substantial concerns” as party leaders publicly backed Trump’s decision.

#law #landmark #preservation #architecture #environment #UShistory
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/02/24/trump-ballroom-gop-concerns/

The meeting was supposed to only be on the design, with a final vote expected next month. But the chair, Rodney Mims Cook Jr., made a motion to also vote on final approval, & 6 of 7 “commissioners” who were all installed by #Trump since the start of the year voted in favor twice. One commissioner, James McCrery, did not vote because he was the initial architect on the project.

#law #preservation #landmark #architecture #history #ballroom #WhiteHouse #EastWing

In a totally shocking turn of events /s

The #US Commission of “ #FineArts”, a panel made up entirely of #Trump appointees, on Thursday approved his proposal to build a #ballroom larger than the whole #WhiteHouse itself where the #historic #EastWing once stood.

#law #preservation #landmark #architecture #history
https://apnews.com/article/trump-white-house-ballroom-commission-fine-arts-f2a15d0b1c9c95f24816fe60b6b1ee5f?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=2026-02-19-Correction

The meeting was supposed to only be on the design, with a final vote expected next month. But the chair, Rodney Mims Cook Jr., made a motion to also vote on final approval, & 6 of 7 “commissioners” who were all installed by #Trump since the start of the year voted in favor twice. One commissioner, James McCrery, did not vote because he was the initial architect on the project.

#law #preservation #landmark #architecture #history #ballroom #WhiteHouse #EastWing

In a totally shocking turn of events /s

The #US Commission of “ #FineArts”, a panel made up entirely of #Trump appointees, on Thursday approved his proposal to build a #ballroom larger than the whole #WhiteHouse itself where the #historic #EastWing once stood.

#law #preservation #landmark #architecture #history
https://apnews.com/article/trump-white-house-ballroom-commission-fine-arts-f2a15d0b1c9c95f24816fe60b6b1ee5f?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=2026-02-19-Correction