Blessing from NCPC comes just days after judge ruled work on project cannot proceed without congressional approval
Donald Trump’s White House ballroom project received the approval of Washington’s planning authorities on Thursday, two days after a judge ruled work cannot proceed without Congress’s approval.
The National Capital Planning Commission, which is chaired by one of Trump’s former lawyers, gave the green light to the “East Wing Modernization Project” on Thursday, describing the ballroom as just the latest stage over two centuries of continuous changes.
“While some might wish for history in the world to stand still, the fact of the matter is that the White House complex has constantly evolved to meet the programmatic needs of the federal government and the office of the president,” said the commission chair, William Scharf. “I believe that in time, this ballroom will be considered every bit as much of a national treasure as the other key components of the White House.”
The Republican president says the $400m, 90,000 sq ft (8,400 sq meter) ballroom will be a privately financed defining addition to the White House and a lasting symbol of his presidency.
