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President Trump quietly appointed four new members to the Commission of Fine Arts this week, a critical move that revitalizes one of the federal panels responsible for reviewing his ambitious White House ballroom project.
The appointments come at a pivotal moment for the controversial 90,000-square-foot addition, which would dramatically transform the historic mansion’s public face and stand as a lasting Trump legacy. Construction has already begun, with the East Wing demolished to make space for the ballroom, despite ongoing legal challenges.
Among the new appointees is James McCrery, an architect who previously led the now $400 million project until Trump replaced him late last year. McCrery had served on the commission during Trump’s first term from 2019-2024. The White House has stated that private donations, including contributions from Trump himself, will finance the massive undertaking.
The other appointees include Mary Anne Carter of Tennessee, who chaired the National Endowment for the Arts during Trump’s first administration and previously worked for Florida Senator Rick Scott; Roger Kimball, a conservative art critic and commentator from Connecticut; and Matthew Taylor of Washington, D.C.
These appointments restore the commission’s ability to conduct business after months of inactivity. The panel, which typically consists of seven members, had been unable to meet due to lack of quorum after Trump dismissed six commissioners last fall following the East Wing demolition. A seventh commissioner, who chaired the panel, had resigned earlier when their term expired after Trump took office.
The timing is significant as the commission is scheduled to meet on January 22, with the East Wing Modernization project specifically listed on the agenda. According to court documents filed Thursday by White House deputy assistant Heather Martin, the administration plans to formally present the project to the commission on February 19 and March 19, potentially completing the review process.
However, the project faces substantial legal hurdles. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to halt construction, arguing that the Trump administration violated federal laws by beginning demolition and construction before obtaining required approvals from the Commission of Fine Arts, the National Capital Planning Commission, Congress, and the public.
The National Capital Planning Commission, the second federal panel with oversight authority for construction on federal land including the White House grounds, received an initial presentation about the ballroom at its January 8 meeting.
Historic preservationists and architectural experts have expressed concern about the precedent being set by altering such a significant national landmark without following established protocols. The White House, completed in 1800, has undergone numerous renovations throughout its history, but changes of this magnitude typically undergo rigorous review processes.
The ballroom project represents one of Trump’s long-stated ambitions. He has frequently mentioned his desire to add a grand ballroom to the White House complex, criticizing the use of temporary tents for large state events. If completed, the 90,000-square-foot addition would be among the most significant structural changes to the Executive Mansion in modern history.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the appointments or the ongoing legal challenges to the project. The Commission of Fine Arts also did not respond to inquiries.
As the January 22 meeting approaches, observers from both the preservation community and Trump supporters will be watching closely to see how the newly constituted commission addresses this controversial project that could permanently reshape one of America’s most iconic buildings.
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12 Comments
Given the legal challenges already underway, I wonder if the new commission members will take a cautious approach to reviewing the ballroom plans. Preserving the historic character of the White House should be a top priority, even for ambitious renovation projects.
It will be interesting to see if the new appointees bring a fresh perspective to this issue or simply rubber-stamp Trump’s vision. The American people should have a voice in such a significant change to their national landmark.
While I appreciate the desire to leave a lasting mark, a project of this scale and cost at the White House seems ill-advised, especially during a time of economic uncertainty. I hope the commission will carefully weigh the pros and cons before moving forward.
Ultimately, the commission’s decision should be guided by preserving the historical integrity of the White House, not partisan politics or personal agendas. The American people deserve a careful, impartial review of this proposal.
Appointing allies to the commission tasked with reviewing this ballroom plan raises concerns about impartiality. I hope the new members can put aside any political biases and focus on objective, evidence-based decision-making for the good of the country.
Given the controversial nature of this project, the commission’s deliberations and final recommendation should be made with full transparency. The public deserves to understand the rationale behind any approval or rejection.
The $400 million price tag for this White House ballroom project is quite staggering. I hope the commission will thoroughly evaluate the costs and proposed financing, including any potential conflicts of interest, before approving such a massive undertaking.
Privately funding a project of this magnitude at the White House raises a lot of questions about transparency and accountability. The public deserves to know the details of how this will be financed.
While I understand the desire to leave a lasting legacy, a 90,000-square-foot ballroom seems excessive and out of touch. I hope the commission carefully considers the practical and aesthetic implications before giving this project the green light.
Transforming the White House’s public face in this way could set a concerning precedent for future administrations. The commission should thoughtfully weigh the long-term impacts on the building’s historical integrity.
Interesting to see Trump appointing new members to the Commission of Fine Arts to review his White House ballroom project. Given the controversial nature of this addition, it will be important to have an impartial panel assess the plans and any potential impacts on the historic mansion.
I’m curious to see what the new commission members think about the design and scale of the proposed ballroom. It’s a significant undertaking that could dramatically transform the White House’s public face.