President Donald Trump has left former government staff stunned over the demolition of the prestigious White House East Wing.
Specifically, the president’s move angered Republicans and Democrats who worked on behalf of some of the nation’s first ladies, including former First Lady Pat Nixon.
Trump is tearing down the East Wing, marking one of the most extensive White House renovations to date.
For months, the president has emphasized the need to add a ballroom to the White House, which will be about 90,000 square feet.
In July, the White House pointed out that a ballroom is needed to host significant events with foreign leaders.
“The White House State Ballroom will be a much-needed and exquisite addition of approximately 90,000 total square feet of ornately designed and carefully crafted space, with a seated capacity of 650 people — a significant increase from the 200-person seated capacity in the East Room of the White House,” the White House’s statement read.
The project’s lead architect is McCrery Architects. The company’s CEO echoed the White House’s argument that a ballroom is needed for essential events involving world leaders.
“Presidents in the modern era have faced challenges hosting major events at the White House because it has been untouched since President Harry Truman. I am honored that President Trump has entrusted me to help bring this beautiful and necessary renovation to The People’s House, while preserving the elegance of its classical design and historical importance,” CEO Jim McCrery said.
The White House’s move, although consequential and historic, was met with fury from former first lady officials who spent much of their time in the East Wing.
Penny Adams, who worked as Pat Nixon’s TV and radio coordinator, said she was heartbroken at the sight of the East Wing’s demolition.
“I literally [cried] as I would see my old office window,” Adams said. “It was my office from 1969 to 1973.”
Adams revealed that she, along with other individuals who served on Nixon’s staff, tried to contact the National Capital Planning Commission to halt the project.
“In our small, little way, some of us from Mrs Nixon’s staff have been trying to push back on this devastation,” she said.
Former First Lady Laura Bush’s chief of staff, Anita McBride, said that although she praised the addition of a ballroom, she found the images of the demolition unsightly.
“I saw over the years the need for a larger space and not the big tents on the lawn some administrations used,” McBride told the Daily Mail. “But watching the East Wing come down to make way for it is hard.”
In response to such criticism, the White House released an extensive statement showing the many renovations that past presidents made to the White House during their terms.
The statement notes that when President Harry Truman was in office, he ordered the construction of the West Wing, which led to the removal of the greenhouses built during the Jefferson Administration.
In addition, the White House noted that President Richard Nixon replaced the swimming pool with a press briefing room in 1970 and added a bowling alley in the basement.
The statement describes renovations made by 13 presidents, including Trump in his first term.
The White House maintains that the ballroom is “a transformative addition that will significantly increase the White House’s capacity to host major functions honoring world leaders, foreign nations, and other dignitaries.”
