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Unanimous Vote Clears Path for 90,000-Square-Foot Pavilion Despite 99% Public Opposition
By Open Chronicle Staff | United States
WASHINGTON — In a landmark decision that has ignited a firestorm of debate over the architectural heritage of the nation’s capital, the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) voted unanimously on Thursday to approve President Donald Trump’s ambitious plan for a permanent, 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the White House grounds.
The approval marks the first major victory for the administration’s proposal to modernize the Executive Mansion’s hosting capabilities. The commission, currently comprised entirely of members appointed by the President following a total turnover of the board last October, dismissed intense public outcry to endorse the project.
“This is a facility that has been desperately needed for over 150 years, and it’s beautiful,” stated Commission Chair Rodney Mims Cook Jr., as reported by The Washington Post.
The project, which the President suggests could cost up to $400 million funded by private donations, has faced unprecedented backlash. CFA Secretary Thomas Luebke noted that in his two decades of casework, he had never seen such a surge in public engagement. Of the more than 2,000 messages received by the commission in the past week, Luebke confirmed that the vast majority were negative, totaling over 99% in opposition.
Critics have characterized the scale of the pavilion as one that will “dwarf the White House” and labeled the process a “fundamental miscarriage of democratic principles.” One public comment read during the hearing noted that the design “seems to shout power” rather than democratic restraint.
Responding to the criticism, Commissioner Chamberlain Harris, 26, a White House executive assistant, defended the grandeur of the plan. “This is sort of like the greatest country in the world,” Harris said. “It’s the greatest house in the world, and we want it to be the greatest ballroom in the world.”
The project now moves to the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) for a critical vote scheduled for March 5. The NCPC is led by White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf and includes other administration officials, though it faces ongoing legal challenges. The National Trust for Historic Preservation previously sought a federal injunction to halt the build; while a judge refused to stop the project outright, the administration was ordered to undergo this formal review process.
If final approvals are secured, the massive structure will permanently replace the temporary tents on the South Lawn, fundamentally altering the silhouette of the most famous residence in the world.