Hoyer, Pocan, Bishop, Ivey Demand Accountability for Trump's Demolition of White House East Wing
October 23, 2025
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) and Congressmen Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Mark Pocan (WI-02), and Glenn Ivey (MD-04) sent a letter to the Trump Administration demanding answers about Donald Trump's sudden demolition of the White House's historic East Wing. Despite saying he would not dismantle any part of the White House to construct a privately-funded ballroom, Trump tore down the entire East Wing in a matter of days. He did so without notifying or seeking approval from Congress. The Members questioned the legality of the action and raised concerns about how the project is being conducted and funded. The Members demand that the Administration testify before the Subcommittee to provide information regarding this project.
"Commencing demolition in this manner has come without the transparency legally owed to Congress and the public," the Members wrote. "All presidents, including President Trump, are tenants by virtue of the votes of the American people. Changes to the People’s House should thus be transparent, publicly funded, and done with the consent of the Congress."
The letter continues, "...At a time in which our country is concerned with affordability and getting our federal government back up and running, we remain concerned that the Administration is courting public donors to stroke the President’s ego at the expense of American historical preservation and democratic values."
Full text of the letter is available here and below:
Dear Director Vought, Mr. Scharf, and Acting Director Bowron:
As the Members of the Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, we write to express concern regarding the imminent destruction of the East Wing of the White House and the construction of a privately funded ballroom on White House grounds. We are alarmed that the White House is proceeding without the requisite, legally required public review processes, including consultation and review by the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts. Enclosed are questions that we
demand answers to immediately, consistent with Congress’ oversight responsibilities. Further, we request that you or a designated representative appear before the Subcommittee to provide testimony and information regarding this project.
Recent reporting and photographs suggest that demolition of the façade of the East Wing has begun, funded by the President and private donors. That has precluded the public’s ability to visit their seat of government. Officials have indicated that the demolition of East Wing may be completed as soon as this upcoming weekend. Further, President Trump has indicated that in addition to his personal contributions, private contributions, through settlements and other types of donations, have been solicited and received to fund this construction project. We continue to have concerns regarding conflicts of interest, including expectations of pay for play, for entities regulated by the administration.
Commencing demolition in this manner has come without the transparency legally owed to Congress and the public. All presidents, including President Trump, are tenants by virtue of the votes of the American people. Changes to the People’s House should thus be transparent, publicly funded, and done with the consent of the Congress. There is strong historical precedent of Congress providing funding for general upkeep and maintenance of the White House, as the White House is a reverent symbol of national significance that obligates
us to consider historical preservation and the role of public engagement and transparency in making changes. These values have guided all administrations, going back to the public competition in 1792 that produced the building’s original design.
In addition to appearing before the subcommittee to testify, we demand that you provide the following information and documents no later than October 29, 2025:
1.President Trump promised that the East Wing’s structure would not be changed to build the ballroom, however current reporting suggests that the entire East Wing will be demolished as part of this project. What is being done to preserve the historic artifacts and nature of the building? What changed in the scope or nature of the plan to justify such a drastic change regarding impacts to the East Wing?
2. Please enumerate the donors who have contributed to any part of this construction project.
3. How much has each donor contributed and what is the method by which they have provided such contribution?
4. Are there any foreign entities or individuals contributing to the construction of the White House State Ballroom?
5. Announcements indicated that McCrery Architects designed the ballroom, Clark Construction is leading construction, and engineering is headed by AECOM.
"Commencing demolition in this manner has come without the transparency legally owed to Congress and the public," the Members wrote. "All presidents, including President Trump, are tenants by virtue of the votes of the American people. Changes to the People’s House should thus be transparent, publicly funded, and done with the consent of the Congress."
The letter continues, "...At a time in which our country is concerned with affordability and getting our federal government back up and running, we remain concerned that the Administration is courting public donors to stroke the President’s ego at the expense of American historical preservation and democratic values."
Full text of the letter is available here and below:
Dear Director Vought, Mr. Scharf, and Acting Director Bowron:
As the Members of the Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, we write to express concern regarding the imminent destruction of the East Wing of the White House and the construction of a privately funded ballroom on White House grounds. We are alarmed that the White House is proceeding without the requisite, legally required public review processes, including consultation and review by the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts. Enclosed are questions that we
demand answers to immediately, consistent with Congress’ oversight responsibilities. Further, we request that you or a designated representative appear before the Subcommittee to provide testimony and information regarding this project.
Recent reporting and photographs suggest that demolition of the façade of the East Wing has begun, funded by the President and private donors. That has precluded the public’s ability to visit their seat of government. Officials have indicated that the demolition of East Wing may be completed as soon as this upcoming weekend. Further, President Trump has indicated that in addition to his personal contributions, private contributions, through settlements and other types of donations, have been solicited and received to fund this construction project. We continue to have concerns regarding conflicts of interest, including expectations of pay for play, for entities regulated by the administration.
Commencing demolition in this manner has come without the transparency legally owed to Congress and the public. All presidents, including President Trump, are tenants by virtue of the votes of the American people. Changes to the People’s House should thus be transparent, publicly funded, and done with the consent of the Congress. There is strong historical precedent of Congress providing funding for general upkeep and maintenance of the White House, as the White House is a reverent symbol of national significance that obligates
us to consider historical preservation and the role of public engagement and transparency in making changes. These values have guided all administrations, going back to the public competition in 1792 that produced the building’s original design.
In addition to appearing before the subcommittee to testify, we demand that you provide the following information and documents no later than October 29, 2025:
1.President Trump promised that the East Wing’s structure would not be changed to build the ballroom, however current reporting suggests that the entire East Wing will be demolished as part of this project. What is being done to preserve the historic artifacts and nature of the building? What changed in the scope or nature of the plan to justify such a drastic change regarding impacts to the East Wing?
2. Please enumerate the donors who have contributed to any part of this construction project.
3. How much has each donor contributed and what is the method by which they have provided such contribution?
4. Are there any foreign entities or individuals contributing to the construction of the White House State Ballroom?
5. Announcements indicated that McCrery Architects designed the ballroom, Clark Construction is leading construction, and engineering is headed by AECOM.
a. Given we are currently in a lapse of appropriations, please enumerate whether the individuals conducting this work are being paid and under what authority such payment is being rendered.
b. Please enumerate whether the contract was competed? If it was not competed, please enumerate why not.
6. Initial White House statements suggested the State Ballroom will be 90,000 total square feet with a seated capacity of 650 people. However, recent statements suggest it is now expected to hold 999 people. Please provide the plans, including the design, budget, and contracts.
b. Please enumerate whether the contract was competed? If it was not competed, please enumerate why not.
6. Initial White House statements suggested the State Ballroom will be 90,000 total square feet with a seated capacity of 650 people. However, recent statements suggest it is now expected to hold 999 people. Please provide the plans, including the design, budget, and contracts.
a. What contingencies has the Administration put in place to prevent cost overruns?
7. Has the White House submitted ballroom plans for review and permitting by the National Capital Planning Commission? When will the White House do so and why did demolition commence in advance of such submission?
8. Will the “security enhancements and modifications” referenced in the July White House announcement to be provided by the United States Secret Service be paid for solely by personal and private donations or require appropriated funds from Congress?
9. The White House's East Wing sits on top of the Presidential Emergency Operations Center. How is the facility being impacted?
10. The White House’s website continues to encourage outreach to Members of Congress in order to request a tour. However, tours have been cancelled since September 2025 for this renovation. When should constituents expect tours of the White House to resume?
Anyone who has done home renovations knows that demolition cannot be separated from construction. At a time in which our country is concerned with affordability and getting our federal government back up and running, we remain concerned that the Administration is courting public donors to stroke the President’s ego at the expense of American historical preservation and democratic values.
Sincerely,
7. Has the White House submitted ballroom plans for review and permitting by the National Capital Planning Commission? When will the White House do so and why did demolition commence in advance of such submission?
8. Will the “security enhancements and modifications” referenced in the July White House announcement to be provided by the United States Secret Service be paid for solely by personal and private donations or require appropriated funds from Congress?
9. The White House's East Wing sits on top of the Presidential Emergency Operations Center. How is the facility being impacted?
10. The White House’s website continues to encourage outreach to Members of Congress in order to request a tour. However, tours have been cancelled since September 2025 for this renovation. When should constituents expect tours of the White House to resume?
Anyone who has done home renovations knows that demolition cannot be separated from construction. At a time in which our country is concerned with affordability and getting our federal government back up and running, we remain concerned that the Administration is courting public donors to stroke the President’s ego at the expense of American historical preservation and democratic values.
Sincerely,