White House starts demolishing part of the East Wing to build Donald Trump's ballroom

"The work started despite lacking approval for construction from the federal agency that oversees such projects. Dramatic photos of the demolition work showed construction equipment tearing into the East Wing facade and windows and other building parts in tatters on the ground. Some reporters watched from a park near the Treasury Department, which is next to the East Wing."

"The White House has moved ahead with the massive construction project despite not yet having sign-off from the National Capital Planning Commission, which approves construction work and major renovations to government buildings in the Washington area. Its chairman, Will Scharf, who is also the White House staff secretary and one of Mr Trump's top aides, said at the commission's September meeting that the agency does not have jurisdiction over demolition or site preparation work for buildings on federal property."

"Mr Trump announced the start of construction in a social media post and referenced the work while hosting 2025 college baseball champions Louisiana State University and LSU-Shreveport in the East Room. He noted the work was happening "right behind us". "We have a lot of construction going on, which you might hear periodically," he said. "It just started today.""

The White House began demolition work on the East Wing without approval from the National Capital Planning Commission. Photographs showed construction equipment tearing into the East Wing facade, with windows and other building parts strewn on the ground. Reporters observed the demolition from a park near the Treasury Department. President Trump announced the start on social media and mentioned the activity while hosting college baseball teams, saying the construction was happening "right behind us" and had just started. Commission chairman Will Scharf said the agency lacks jurisdiction over demolition or site-preparation work on federal property. It remained unclear whether ballroom plans were submitted for review. The East Wing houses offices including those of the first lady and was built in 1902, with a second storey added in 1942.

Read at Irish Independent