The White House East Wing has been completely demolished, according to newly released photos, as President Donald Trump pushes forward with ambitious plans for a grand new ballroom.

Images shared by the Associated Press reveal extensive demolition efforts nearing the main executive mansion, with debris scattered across the site.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reassured reporters on Thursday to “trust the process” as the ballroom construction progresses. She emphasized the Trump administration’s commitment to transparency regarding the development.

“When this plan was initially introduced, and as soon as the renderings were completed, the President instructed me to present them to you all,” Leavitt explained. “I delivered a detailed opening statement outlining what this ballroom project would entail.”

Leavitt noted that adjustments are a natural part of any construction undertaking. “With any construction project, there are changes over time as you assess what the project is going to look like. We will continue to keep you informed of all these modifications, but trust the process,” she urged.

Acknowledging potential modifications in the demolition strategy for the East Wing, Leavitt stated, “We’ve shared the renderings with you, and they clearly indicate that the East Wing was set to undergo modernization instead.”

“The plans changed,” Leavitt said, “when the president heard counsel from the architects and the construction companies, who said that in order for this East Wing to be modern and beautiful for many, many years to come, for it to be a truly strong and stable structure, this phase one that we’re now in was necessary.”

The sections that have been demolished include both the East Wing, where first ladies have maintained their offices for several decades, and the East Colonnade, which connected the wing to the main building.

All the historical components of the East Wing, such as elements from Rosalynn Carter’s original Office of the First Lady, have been preserved and stored under the supervision of the White House Executive Residence and the National Park Service with support from the White House Historical Association, a White House official told CNN.

Plans are in place for future use, they added.

The East Colonnade, with its herringbone brick floors and large windows along one wall, was often where visitors entered the White House for events.

It also housed the family movie theatre along its north wall, which was used for screenings since it was built in the early 20th century. Major American film studios often made first-run films available to the White House for presidential viewing.

The photos also show the grass and plantings in the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, to the south of the colonnade, torn up.

During a dinner with donors to the ballroom in the East Room last week, Trump had the gold curtains behind the podium opened up and forecasted the demolition to guests.

“We collapse that over the next few days, it’s going to be demolished. Everything out there is coming down, and we’re replacing it with one of the most beautiful ballrooms that you’ve ever seen,” Trump said.