Like so many Americans, we are horrified that the president just took a wrecking ball to the People’s House. If our most important symbol of freedom and democracy can be destroyed in the blink of an eye, what’s next?
This week, acting on orders from President Trump, construction crews completely demolished the historic East Wing of the White House – part of a national park site and a storied building long considered one of the icons of American democracy. The demolition was done to make way for a 90,000 square-foot, privately funded ballroom despite the rules and protections that exist to preserve the historic buildings on national park lands such as the White House and President’s Park.
According to the official National Park Service website, “The White House is owned by the American people and stewarded by the National Park Service. It is more than the President’s residence; it is a site for protests and national discourse about what it means to be American. As one of the most iconic sites in the country, the White House and President’s Park seeks to tell the stories of all people who have lived, worked, and visited.”
At a minimum and to ensure full compliance with historic preservation, the administration should have consulted with the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts. The National Park Service has its own processes to ensure historic buildings and grounds are protected. All were flouted by the administration to move ahead with the destruction of our history.
The White House and President’s Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. A 2007 study from the American Institute of Architects placed the White House as #2 on its list of “America’s Favorite Architecture.”
Statement from Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA):
“Like so many Americans, we are horrified that the president just took a wrecking ball to the People’s House. There are processes in place to protect our most important and historic sites. And the White House, one of our most iconic national park sites, is no exception.
"The president promised the American people that he would not touch the existing building. And yet we woke up to shocking images of a demolished East Wing. If our most important symbol of freedom and democracy can be destroyed in the blink of an eye, what’s next?
"This administration continues to dismantle our national parks and all they stand for. And national park staff, the caretakers of our country’s most important cultural and historic sites, continue to be on the chopping block. As the fearless and outspoken defenders of the people’s parks, including the People’s House, we won’t let this stand. And neither will the American people.”
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About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.9 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.
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Press Release
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