The president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation has stated she trusts the Trump-appointed chairman of a key federal planning commission to impartially review President Donald Trump's contentious proposal to build a new ballroom at the White House.
Trust Expressed in Review Process
Speaking in an interview on Friday 19 December 2025, Carol Quillen said she takes Will Scharf, chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), "at his word". This follows Scharf's assurance at the panel's December meeting that the review would be handled "seriously and deliberately" once the White House submits its plans.
Scharf indicated he expected to receive the proposals sometime in December, with the panel's examination proceeding at a "normal and deliberative pace". Quillen affirmed her trust in this process, stating: "I take him at his word that the process will be conducted as it always is, deliberately and seriously, and that the commission will do its job."
The White House has not responded to multiple queries about when the plans for the "East Wing Modernization Project" will be shared with the NCPC and the Commission of Fine Arts. Notably, the NCPC's agenda for its January meeting lists the project for an "information presentation", typically the first formal step in its review.
Legal Battle and Construction Timelines
This declaration of trust comes amidst an ongoing legal fight. The National Trust filed a federal lawsuit last week seeking to halt construction until the project undergoes multiple independent reviews, public consultation, and secures Congressional approval. The government argued the lawsuit was premature.
A federal judge this week denied the Trust's request for a temporary restraining order but scheduled a hearing in January on its motion for a preliminary injunction. If granted, such an injunction would halt all construction until the lengthy reviews are completed.
Quillen emphasised her organisation was not seeking reviews for their own sake. She argued the process "inevitably leads to a better project" by incorporating feedback from multiple independent parties. She highlighted the National Trust's charter to ensure public input on decisions affecting historic resources, noting "the White House is arguably the nation's most iconic building."
Controversial Project Details and Historical Context
The controversy centres on Trump's proposal to build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom, capable of accommodating 999 people, on the site of the former East Wing. The wing was demolished in October, a move Quillen said "caught us by surprise." The President has long desired a larger venue, criticising the size of the East Room and State Dining Room and the use of tents for state dinners.
The estimated construction cost has recently doubled to $400 million, with the White House asserting no public funds will be used. Officials aim to complete the ballroom before Trump's term ends in January 2029.
The government's legal response contends the ballroom plans are not yet final, despite site preparation work. It states construction is not expected to begin until April 2026 at the earliest. The administration also argues the President has broad authority to modify the White House, citing a long history of changes, and asserts the president is not subject to the statutes cited by the National Trust.
The lawsuit notes the Trust wrote to relevant bodies, including the National Park Service, on 21 October after demolition began, asking for a pause and for the administration to comply with federal law, but received no response.
