Democrats Pressure Congress Over White House East Wing Plans

Roughly 150 Democratic lawmakers filed an amicus brief arguing the White House East Wing’s demolition and reconstruction cannot proceed without explicit Congressional authorization and funding, asserting Congress controls federal property. The Trump administration contends a routine-maintenance statute and private funding justify the $400 million project, while Congress has only a small repair appropriation. A lawsuit from the National Trust for Historic Preservation is ongoing; a federal judge previously blocked progress, but a panel of appellate judges has temporarily allowed construction as the case proceeds.