Construction has commenced on projects at the White House ordered by President Donald Trump, with the Rose Garden having been bulldozed as work begins to pave it over.
Why It Matters
Since his return to the White House, Trump has transformed the Oval Office, making some of the most significant changes to the room’s appearance in modern presidential history. There have been gold medallions, gold vermeil figurines, gold eagles and gilded Rococo mirrors added.
It has also been reported that Trump wishes to build a ballroom in the White House, similar to the one he has at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago.
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What To Know
On Monday of this week, reporters noticed that work had begun in the Rose Garden.
The Associated Press reported that the project will be completed in approximately two months, citing a White House official who was not authorized to comment publicly.
This same official said that employees of the National Park Service, which maintains the White House grounds, had started the work.
Images show the process of paving over the Rose Garden, first with construction crews digging up the grass, then poles and mud in the garden area. The most recent images show the garden covered in what looks to be gravel.
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Trump previously said he would pave over the Rose Garden because the grass is always wet, and it’s an inconvenience for women in high heels.
The president also recently oversaw the installation of two flagpoles on the front lawns of the White House, both of which measure 30.5 meters (100 feet) in height.
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The Rose Garden was established in 1913 by Ellen Wilson, the wife of President Woodrow Wilson. It was later redesigned by President John F. Kennedy to serve as a space for outdoor ceremonies. It has since become a regular venue for various events, including receptions, press briefings, and other occasions.
First lady Melania Trump redesigned the garden in 2019, during her husband’s first term. The renovations drew backlash at the time and led to a petition asking for the changes to be reversed.
What People Are Saying
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, in a statement shared by The New York Times in March: “The White House has not been given any tender, loving care in many decades, so President Trump is taking necessary steps in order to preserve and restore the greatness and glory of ‘the People’s House.'”
What Happens Next
It is unclear when construction on the White House Rose Garden will conclude. Plans for a new ballroom have not been revealed yet.
