What We Sought
On October 20, 2025, the White House began tearing down the East Wing as part of its White House Ballroom project, a plan President Trump previously noted would not interfere with the existing White House structure, and within just a few days, the entire East Wing was demolished. The White House has since released information about the donors who are funding the project; the list includes members of the current administration; companies with government contracts; and some of the nation’s largest tech companies. The donations, which are tax deductible, will go to the Trust for the National Mall, the official non-profit philanthropic partner of the National Park Service.
This project raises myriad concerns, including the lack of notice or approval of construction plans before the project began; possible public health risks due to exposure of workers and passersby to asbestos; disregard for the irreplaceable historical value of not only the East Wing but also two historic magnolia trees and the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden; and ethical concerns, given the clear “pay to play” nature of the donors’ contributions.
To shed light on this dramatic assault on the People’s House and these numerous legal, health, preservation, and ethical concerns, we sent FOIAs to the National Capital Planning Commission (“NCPC”), the General Services Administration (“GSA”), the Commission of the Fine Arts (“CFA”), the National Park Service (“NPS”), and Committee for the Preservation of the White House. Our investigation seeks communications regarding the project, communications with the White House and donors, any guidance submitted to the White House, records reflecting these agencies’ jurisdiction in this decision, solicitations and bidding documents related to the project, assessments regarding the environmental impact of the project, plans for construction of the ballroom, and more.
What We Received
We will update this page as we receive new information.
