The Commission of Fine Arts on Thursday unanimously approved former President Donald Trump’s plan to construct a 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the White House grounds, replacing the demolished East Wing. The vote followed the morning appointment of Chamberlain Harris, a current White House aide with no documented architectural expertise, to the commission, raising questions about the impartiality of the review process.
The approval marks a significant step forward for the project, which has drawn criticism for its scale and potential impact on the historic character of the White House. Trump initiated the demolition of the East Wing in October, a move that surprised many observers, and has since proposed a ballroom that would be substantially larger than the 55,000-square-foot main residence, according to reports.
The Commission of Fine Arts is one of two bodies with approval authority over the project; the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) is expected to vote on the proposal early next month. The NCPC is headed by Will Scharf, Trump’s current White House staff secretary, as reported by The Washington Post.
The approval comes amid broader ambitions by Trump for large-scale projects in the nation’s capital. The New York Times described these plans as “Pharaonic legacy-building,” including a proposed 250-foot arch across the Potomac River, renovations to the Kennedy Center potentially branded with the Trump name, and alterations to the East Potomac Park golf course that could impact public park space and the area’s historic cherry trees.
Concerns have been raised about the lack of arts experience among members of the Commission of Fine Arts and limited opportunities for public comment. CNN reported that the commission has few members with relevant expertise and that public input was curtailed during the review process.
Beyond the ballroom project, Trump has likewise initiated a visible branding effort in Washington, D.C., with a banner featuring his image now displayed on the facade of Justice Department headquarters.
The National Capital Planning Commission’s upcoming vote will determine the next step in the approval process for the ballroom, and will likely face similar scrutiny regarding the composition of the commission and the extent of public engagement.
