Washington, DC’s Commission on Fine Arts — which is packed with allies of President Trump — unanimously voted to approve his new White House ballroom.
“This is a facility that is desperately needed for over 150 years, and it’s beautiful,” Commission Chair Rodney Mims Cook Jr. said.
Thursday’s meeting was scheduled to talk about the design of the project, with a final vote expected at next month’s session. But commissioners moved to go ahead and give it their blessing.
It’s one of two committees that must provide approval. The National Capital Planning Commission, headed by White House staff secretary Will Scharf, is expected to follow suit. Its next meeting is scheduled for March 5.
The 90,000-square-foot ballroom is bigger than the White House itself and will stand where the East Wing once stood.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to stop construction of the ballroom. A court decision in the case is pending.