WASHINGTON — The White House on Monday started tearing down part of the East Wing, the traditional base of operations for the first lady, to build President Donald Trump's $250 million ballroom despite lacking approval for construction from the federal agency that oversees such projects.
Work begins on the demolition of a part of the East Wing of the White House, Oct. 20, in Washington, before construction of a new ballroom.
People are also reading…
Work begins on the demolition of a part of the East Wing of the White House, Oct. 20, in Washington, before construction of a new ballroom.
A model is seen as President Donald Trump addresses a dinner for donors who have contributed to build the new ballroom at the White House, Oct. 15, in Washington.
Barricades are in place for construction work for the planned new White House ballroom, Sept. 21, in Washington.
Photos: The White House Rose Garden through the years
President Truman congratulates three veterans of Koreas fighting after he presented them the Medal of Honor at White House Rose garden ceremony on April 11, 1952 in Washington. Left to right: Marine N/Sgt. Harold S. Wilson, Birmingham, Ala., the President; Army Lt. Lloyd L. Burke, Stuttgart, Ark., and Army Corp. Rodolfo P. Hernandez, Fowler, California. Relatives and officials (background) attended the event. (AP Photo)
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, left, and President Jimmy Carter have a lunch in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on April 8, 1980. Sadat is meeting with Carter trying to break through the stalled peace talks with Israel. (AP Photo)
President Bush, right, and former South African President Nelson Mandela speak with reporters Monday, Nov. 12, 2001, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, after the two met to review Mandela's ongoing effort to bolster peace in Burundi. Bush commented about American Airlines Flight 587 that was on its way to the Dominican Republic with 255 people aboard when it crashed moments after takeoff in New York. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Members of Congress listen as President Donald Trump speaks at a dinner in the Rose Garden of the White House, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The Rose Garden, Colonnade and Oval Office are seen at the White House while President Obama was inside the Oval Office during a snowstorm that is blanketing the East Coast in Washington, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Richard Nixon has a pat on the back for former Defense Secretary Melvin Laird after it was announced in Washington that Laird will become Nixon's counselor for domestic affairs, June 7, 1973. Walking with them in the White House Rose Garden is Gen Alexander Haig, who is retiring from the Army to become presidential assistant in charge of running the White House staff. (AP Photo/Henry Burroughs)
FILE - The former Tricia Nixon and her husband Edward Finch Cox, walk from the altar at the White House Rose Garden after their marriage, June 12, 1971. Obscured by the bride and groom are matron of honor Julie Nixon Eisenhower and best man Howard E. Cox Jr. In the background is the Rev. Dr. Edward G. Latch, chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, who performed the wedding. (AP Photo, File)
Construction in the Rose Garden of the White House, Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Paper squares are taped to wall along the Colonnade outside along the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The recently renovated Rose Garden is pictured at the White House,, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The Rose Garden of The White House is seen from the Colonnade Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Exterior view of White House Building in Washington and Mrs. Warren Hardings Rose Garden in 1921. (AP Photo)
Shown in photo is White House South Portico and portion of Rose Garden in Washington, D.C. in 1921. (AP Photo)
President Dwight Eisenhower talks to members of the 2nd Atlantic Conference of Young Political Leaders in the White House rose garden in Washington, June 1, 1960. The youth group is meeting under the sponsorship of the Atlantic Treaty Association and the American Council on NATO. (AP Photo/Henry Burroughs)
President John Kennedy pulls Ladybird Johnson, wife of the vice president, up to the microphones during a ceremony in the rose garden behind the White House on May 24, 1961 in Washington. Vice President Lyndon Johnson and his wife were welcomed home from their globe-girdling fact-finding tour. Also prominent in the group are speaker Sam Rayburn, at left, behind Mrs. Johnson and Sen. Everett Dirksen, R-Ill, is at center on the steps. (AP Photo)
Sen. Hubert Humphrey (D-Minn.), addresses approximately 300 students at the White House in Washington on June 22, 1962, as President John F. Kennedy listens. The students who are going to Africa under the sponsorship of Operation Crossroads Africa, met with the chief executive, Humphrey, and Dr. James Robinson, right, of New York City, in the Rose Garden. Operation Crossroads Africa is privately financed, interracial, nondenominational organization. (AP Photo/Henry Burroughs)
President Ronald Reagan sits beside Supreme Court nominee Sandra O’Connor as they pose for photographers in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, July 16, 1981. The President said he is confident Mrs. O’Connor will be confirmed as the first woman Supreme Court justice. (AP Photo)
U.S. President George H. Bush, with Secretary of State James A. Baker III at right hands a pen to Federal Republic of Germany Ambassador Juergen Ruhfus, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 1990 in a White House Rose Garden ceremony concerning a treaty on the reunification of East and West Germany. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)
U.S. President George H. Bush pets a turkey in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 1990 in Washington as Wyatt Upchurch, president of the National Turkey Federation who presented the bird looks on. The Thanks giving turkey is given to a animal farm near Washington. (AP Photo/Marcy Nighswander)
The Jacqueline Kennedy Garden is seen with the White House behind it in Washington Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009. Tens of thousands of people are expected to stream through the White House gates this weekend for a rare opportunity to see the fragrant roses, blue salvias and towering, decades-old trees that beautify the president's back yard. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
