New White House ballroom demolition doesn't need approval, commission head says
Share this @internewscast.com

The head of the National Capital Planning Commission announced that crews can initiate the demolition of parts of the White House for a new ballroom without needing approval.

WASHINGTON — According to the Trump-appointed head of the commission, demolition for President Donald Trump’s new ballroom, to be built adjacent to the East Wing of the White House, can start without the commission’s approval, which usually evaluates federal building projects.

Will Scharf, also serving as the White House staff secretary, mentioned during a public meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission that the board does not oversee demolition or site preparation on federal property.

“Our jurisdiction covers construction and vertical building,” Scharf explained. He described Trump’s planned ballroom as “one of the most exciting construction projects in modern Washington history.”

These comments were made during the commission’s only public meeting before work is expected to begin on the $200 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom, which will significantly change the East and West Wings’ appearance at the White House.

The commission’s role involves approving significant renovations and construction work on government buildings in Washington. However, Scharf clarified a difference between demolition and rebuilding, emphasizing that the commission only reviews the latter.

“I think any assertion that this commission should have been consulted earlier than it has been, or it will be, is simply false,” he said.

Scharf said the White House hadn’t yet submitted building plans for the White House renovations but when that happens, “I’m excited for us to play a role in the ballroom project when the time is appropriate for us to do so.”

Asked after the meeting if the eventual approval process might delay work on the ballroom, Scharf said, “Demolition and site preparation work can certainly occur, but if you’re talking about actually building anything, then, yeah, it should go through our approval process.”

“Given the president’s history as a builder, and given the plans that we’ve seen publicly I think this will be a tremendous addition to the White House complex, a sorely needed addition,” Scharf said.

L. Preston Bryant Jr., who was appointed to chair the National Capital Planning Commission in 2009 by President Barack Obama and served in that role for nine years, said proposed projects typically worked in four major stages of commission approval that began “with an early consultation, where a project is very much conceptual.”

That hasn’t been the case with Trump’s promised ballroom.

“The White House and its design team would be very, very wise to involve NCPC and its staff very much on the front end of the project – in the early design stages – as it’ll make for a better project and help ensure it meets all regulatory and legal compliances,” Bryant said. “I cannot stress enough the value to be had at the conceptual and early consultation stages.”

Trump has been anxious to hustle toward work beginning on the ballroom, with an eye toward completing it prior to his leaving office in January 2029. A building mogul before he was a reality TV star and politician, has relished personally overseeing improvement projects at the White House and walked last month on the building’s roof with construction officials.

The ballroom will be the latest change introduced to what’s known as “The People’s House” since Trump returned to office in January, and the first structural change to the Executive Mansion itself since the Truman Balcony was added in 1948.

Trump already has substantially redecorated the Oval Office through the addition of golden flourishes and cherubs, presidential portraits and other items, and installed massive flagpoles on the north and south lawns to fly the American flag. The lawn in the Rose Garden was paved over with stone and patio tables reminiscent of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, complete with exterior speakers.

Scharf also used the meeting to argue that the Federal Reserve had flouted planning board jurisdiction while undertaking major renovations to its building. Trump has for months called on Fed Chair Jerome Powell to resign, and has specifically decried the long-planned building project for going well over budget.

The Fed has posted on its website that the designs for the original improvement plans to its building were previously approved by the planning commission, and that it “does not regard” subsequent changes made to the original plan as being major enough to warrant “further review.”

But Scharf said he’d be sending a letter to the Fed “noting my severe concerns” and accusing the central bank of arguing it essentially had the right to do “whatever the heck it wants on its property. They could build an amusement park on their property and no one would have any qualms.”

A Fed spokesperson declined to comment on Thursday.

Scharf said after the meeting of Fed officials, “I’m hopeful that they’ll see the light of day and come back in and re-present their construction project as they should have up front.”

National Capital Planning Commission Chairman Will Scharf presides over a National Capital Planning Commission meeting, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

DateSep 4, 2025 2:01 PMHeadlineTrump BallroomSourceFR172078Restrictions

Eds: UPDATES: Adds comment from former past commissioner. Adds additional Scharf quote, background.

Use of this content is for editorial purposes only. For inquiries regarding non-editorial uses, 

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Walt Disney World Resort: See a sneak peek of the Halloween fun, festive celebrations and holiday magic

Experience the Enchantment: A Sneak Peek at Halloween Festivities and Holiday Magic at Walt Disney World Resort

“Destination: Walt Disney World” invites you to Central Florida to experience the…
LA assault suspect plays freeway Frogger to evade arrest: video

Suspect in LA Assault Attempts Dangerous Freeway Escape: Caught on Video

A hop, skip and arrest. A suspect involved in an assault tried…
FBI fires agents photographed kneeling during 2020 racial justice protest following death of George Floyd, sources say

FBI Dismisses Agents Seen Kneeling at 2020 Racial Justice Protest After George Floyd’s Death, Sources Report

WASHINGTON — The FBI has dismissed agents who were seen kneeling during…
Broadview Police Chief Thomas Mills says he was verbally attacked by ICE agent; Mayor Katrina Thompson criticizes ICE in letter

Broadview Police Chief Alleges Verbal Assault by ICE Agent; Mayor Thompson Condemns ICE in Correspondence

New accusations have surfaced about rising tensions between ICE agents at the…
Newark Airport flight restrictions extended: FAA will continue to limit arrivals and departures through October 2026

Flight Restrictions at Newark Airport Extended: FAA Limits Arrivals and Departures Through October 2026

The Federal Aviation Administration has announced that the limited rate of flights…

Financier Allegedly Abused Women in Soundproof NYC Penthouse “Dungeon”

A retired Wall Street financier was taken into custody on Friday, accused…
Charlie Kirk killing puts rise in left-wing terror in spotlight as study shows violence hitting 30-year high

Charlie Kirk Incident Highlights Surge in Left-Wing Violence, Study Reveals 30-Year Peak

The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah has thrust political…
Shooter at NFL Headquarters Had CTE, Medical Examiner Confirms

CTE Confirmed in Gunman at NFL Headquarters, Says Medical Examiner

Shane Tamura, a Las Vegas casino worker, shot and killed four people…
Random blue city stabbing death fuels new bail bill as ‘activists’ ripped for lack of crime crackdown: expert

A recent random stabbing death in a major city prompts new bail legislation, while ‘activists’ face criticism for not addressing crime, according to experts.

In the wake of the stabbing death of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska…
Four cars crash into Jacksonville woman's home

Four Vehicles Collide with Woman’s House in Jacksonville

Jacqueline Curry urges action after her home endured four vehicle crashes, prompting…
Houston Halloween display shows mannequins in red hats hanging from gallows with Mexican flag

Houston Halloween Display Features Mannequins in Red Hats Hanging from Gallows with Mexican Flag

A Halloween setup in a Houston, Texas neighborhood is causing a stir…
Fugitive dad Travis Decker confirmed dead as DNA matches remains found in Washington state: officials

DNA Confirms Remains Found in Washington State are of Fugitive Father Travis Decker: Officials

Authorities have now verified that the human remains discovered in the Washington…