Federal panel packed with Trump allies approves White House ballroom project The vote by the National Capital Planning Commission on Thursday marked the final procedural hurdle for President Donald Trump’s plans.

Planning commission APPROVES President Trump's White House ballroom project

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Ballroom commission changed documents at White House’s request Records show a staffer asked the commission to soften language about its own authority over the president’s project — and it complied.

Exclusive: A White House official asked an independent planning commission to soften language about its own authority over Trump's ballroom project — and it complied, records show.

The National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to vote on the project this afternoon.

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Congress is in no rush to authorize Trump’s ballroom after judge’s ruling The president doesn’t appear interested in seeking lawmakers’ approval for his $400 million project — and they’re not inclined to give it.

A federal judge halted Trump’s ballroom construction until he gets congressional authorization.

But Trump isn’t inclined to seek Congress’s OK — and they don’t appear inclined to give it.

with @jonathanreports.bsky.social @theodoricmeyer.bsky.social @mariannasotomayor.bsky.social

“The stark images of the East Wing demolished in mere days were disturbing to Americans who cherish preservation of our nation’s history,” wrote Rep. Mike Turner, co-chair of the congressional Historic Preservation Caucus and one of the longest-serving members of Congress.

Behind closed doors, GOP lawmaker questioned ‘disturbing’ East Wing demolition Rep. Michael Turner, co-chair of the congressional Historic Preservation Caucus, wrote to a top White House aide about his “substantial concerns.”

Exclusive: As GOP leaders rushed to defend Trump's decision to tear down the East Wing, one Republican lawmaker privately warned a senior White House aide that he had “substantial concerns” and demanded answers about how the decision was made.

w @ddiamond.bsky.social

President Trump takes a victory lap after a review panel approved his pet project: a $400 million White House ballroom building

Commission, packed with Trump allies, approves White House ballroom project The Commission of Fine Arts voted unanimously to approve the nearly 90,000-square-foot building’s design. A federal judge is weighing whether to halt the project.

A federal arts commission — packed with Trump allies, including his 26-year-old executive assistant — voted this morning to approve the president's planned White House ballroom building.

w @ddiamond.bsky.social

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Trump picks his White House assistant for panel reviewing ballroom Chamberlain Harris, a 26-year-old White House aide and the president’s longtime executive assistant, is set to be sworn in Thursday.

Trump picks his 26-year-old receptionist for a federal commission set to vote on his planned White House ballroom.

The White House says she's qualified. Past commissioners say Trump is flouting Congress's intent for panel.

w @ddiamond.bsky.social

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Trump digs in on ballroom size, saying height will match that of White House Review panels and a federal judge have asked if the project can be made smaller. Historic preservationists say the planned 90,000-square-foot addition will overshadow the mansion.

President Donald Trump is digging in on his ambitious plans for the White House ballroom project despite concerns from a federal judge, members of two review panels and historic preservationists that it will be too big and spoil the historic property.

w @ddiamond.bsky.social

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A federal judge is weighing whether to halt project. Judge Richard Leon said he won't rule on that issue in the next week but might in February.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, the organization that is suing the administration over the ballroom project, has argued that Trump's assertion on Sunday is correct: the work being done essentially locks into place key aspects of the project, including its size.

Trump says it’s ‘too late’ to stop White House ballroom construction The president’s comments came after Justice Department lawyers argued that the ballroom plans can still be modified and they plan to wait for federal reviews.

Trump today declared it's "TOO LATE!" to stop White House ballroom construction.

DOJ lawyers have been arguing something different: the ongoing, months-long work could be changed as the administration waits for approval from two oversight committees.

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Trump’s new arts commission signals support for White House ballroom The president’s handpicked members of the Commission of Fine Arts are set to review the planned project. The White House hopes to win their approval by March.

President Trump’s handpicked arts commissioners met this morning to discuss his planned White House ballroom. The committee's new chair raised concerns re: building size and design but indicated he supports the controversial project.

w/@ddiamond.bsky.social
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A teacher agreed to a ‘Queer Eye’ makeover — but only if it helped his school, too Queer Eye's Fab Five give a D.C. teacher a new look and helps his school.

A D.C. teacher stars in the new season of "Queer Eye."

Michael Devereaux, a high school history teacher, insisted his participation in the Netflix makeover show help others at Digital Pioneers Academy.

The result: a new teachers' lounge.
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Trump installs loyalists on panel set to review White House ballroom The Commission of Fine Arts will discuss the controversial project at a meeting next week. White House officials hope to win approval in two months.

President Donald Trump has installed four allies on a federal commission set to review his White House ballroom plan, including its former chief architect — his latest move to secure rapid approval for the controversial project.

w @ddiamond.bsky.social

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D.C. may rename school that honors city’s first mayor, a proponent of slavery Students, teachers and parents say the city should rename a Capitol Hill elementary school to honor Gardner Bishop, a parent and Black civil rights activist.

D.C. may rename school that honors city’s first mayor, a proponent of slavery.

Students, teachers and parents say the city should rename Brent Elementary School in Capitol Hill to honor Gardner Bishop, a parent and Black civil rights activist.

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New images offer closer look at demolition for the White House ballroom The project reflects Trump’s expansive view of presidential authority — even over the White House itself.

Never-before-seen images offer closer look at demolition of the East Wing and site work for the White House ballroom.

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Federal judge suggests White House ballroom construction may continue Judge Richard J. Leon said Trump officials had two weeks to submit plans for their controversial addition. Historic preservationists are demanding an immediate halt.

Breaking news: A federal judge suggested he would allow the Trump administration to continue work on its controversial ballroom addition, but gave the White House two weeks to file its still-unfinished ballroom plans.

Another update from Abdou:

Teachers accuse city officials of neglect as D.C. classrooms grow cold HVAC problems have plagued Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus for years as teachers and parents say city officials have ignored their pleas to fix basic. infrastructure

I just got a text from Paul Abdou, the math teacher featured in this story:

"Thank you for the article. I’ve had a visit from some engineers this morning. Your work can be a force for good."

Let's hope they actually get the heat working 🤞
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The latest White House ballroom news from @ddiamond.bsky.social and me

Trump wants a bigger White House ballroom. His architect disagrees. The president and James McCrery had argued in recent weeks over the project’s size, with Trump pushing him to expand the ballroom.

Trump has wanted to go ever-bigger with his White House ballroom. One person who disagrees: Trump’s handpicked architect, worried the 90,000-sq-ft addition will overshadow the main White House mansion, four sources tell the @washingtonpost.com. W/ @ddiamond.bsky.social
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Report: Donors to Trump’s White House ballroom have $279B in federal contracts The White House ballroom’s donor list contains heavyweights in the tech, financial and defense sectors, including Google, Comcast and Lockheed Martin.

Donors to Trump’s White House ballroom have $279B in federal contracts in the past 5y, have paid $1.6B in political spending and are targets in several federal investigations into alleged wrongdoing, according to a new report from @publiccitizen.bsky.social

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White House begins demolishing East Wing facade to build Trump’s ballroom The president had claimed construction of the $250 million ballroom wouldn’t ‘interfere’ with the existing White House structure.

Scoop: Trump has started demolishing the White House's East Wing facade to build his ballroom. The president had claimed construction of the $250 million building wouldn’t ‘interfere’ with the existing White House structure. /W @ddiamond.bsky.social wapo.st/4hqBNiU