The National Capital Planning Commission voted Thursday to approve President Donald Trump’s plans for a 90,000-square-foot East Wing makeover at the White House, clearing the final regulatory hurdle for the project despite an ongoing court order halting construction.
The 9-1 vote advances a design that includes a ballroom seating up to 1,000 guests. Construction remains on hold after a federal judge ruled that the administration needs congressional authorization to proceed. The Department of Justice has appealed the decision.
The commission, chaired by a White House staffer, approved the updated plans, which removed a grand staircase feature that had been criticized in earlier iterations. Two commissioners voted present. The project, announced in July 2025, originally carried a $200 million price tag that has since doubled to $400 million. It is described as privately financed, though questions remain about funding for an associated secure underground military complex.
The East Wing was demolished in October 2025 to make way for the expansion, which will also include offices for the First Lady, kitchen space, a double-decker colonnade, and other upgrades. Heavy machinery removed portions of the historic structure, with debris hauled to a scrap yard in Maryland and dirt trucked to a nearby golf course.
Public opposition delayed the commission’s vote by a month. More than 32,000 comments were submitted online, with over 100 people, including architects and preservationists, signing up to speak at the March meeting. The Commission of Fine Arts, another oversight body, unanimously approved the design in February.
James Blair, a commissioner and senior White House aide, described many critiques as largely “unserious” and politically driven.
Trump has called the project the “finest ballroom of its kind anywhere in the world.”
In a statement, White House spokesman Davis Ingle said the administration “commends” the NCPC for its vote. Trump thanked commission members on Truth Social, writing that he was “honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project, which is on time and under budget, underway.”
“When completed, it will be the Greatest and Most Beautiful Ballroom of its kind anywhere in the World, and a fabulous complement to our Beautiful and Storied White House!” Trump added.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued in December 2025 to stop the work, citing a lack of congressional authorization and questionable financing. A judge initially denied a temporary restraining order but later sided with the group. Democrats, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, have raised concerns about the use of private donations from companies and individuals, some of whom have business before the government.
