Trump dismisses White House ballroom architect amid increasing scrutiny

President Donald Trump has decided to replace the architect in charge of his $300 million White House ballroom project, appointing a seasoned Washington, D.C. firm after months of tension and missed deadlines. The change, first noted by The Washington Post, comes as demolition of the East Wing continues and site preparation advances ahead of an official federal review.

Changes in Leadership for the $300 Million Ballroom

For more than three months, James McCrery II and his boutique firm had been leading the design of the planned ballroom, which is projected to cover approximately 90,000 square feet and accommodate nearly 1,000 guests. By late October, McCrery was no longer managing the project. Sources familiar with the situation told The Post that disagreements arose over Trump's repeated desire to enlarge the building.

The firms small size and missed deadlines on a tight timeline reportedly contributed to the decision. Trump aims to complete the ballroom before the end of his second term.

White House Ballroom Design Controversies

Representatives from both the White House and McCrery now describe his role as consulting rather than leading the design. McCrerys selection initially drew attention because his firm primarily works on churches, libraries, and residences. Experts noted that projects of this magnitude usually involve larger architectural firms.

Shalom Baranes Takes Over

The White House has now turned to Shalom Baranes, a D.C.-based architect with decades of experience in major federal projects. His work includes renovations at the Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve, and the General Services Administration. Baranes also led a nearly $1 billion Pentagon renovation following the Sept. 11 attacks, which he called his proudest moment in a 2017 op-ed.

White House spokesperson Davis Ingle stated that the administration is excited to have Baranes join what it calls a team of experts to realize Trumps vision for the greatest addition to the White House since the Oval Office. Ingle praised Baranes for shaping the architectural character of the nations capital for decades.

Construction Continues Amid Oversight Concerns

Despite changes in design leadership, demolition and construction work have proceeded. The East Wing has already been torn down, with crews driving piles, stacking reinforced concrete pipes, and operating cranes on the site.

Historic preservationists and some Democrats have raised concerns about the lack of transparency and federal oversight. They note that the project has not yet undergone full review by the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), the body that typically evaluates major developments in central Washington.

The No Palaces Act Proposal

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced the so-called No Palaces Act, which would require NCPC approval for any White House demolition and mandate congressional consent for private funding of future construction. Blumenthal emphasized that the White House belongs to the public and suggested that lawmakers should have legal means to halt similar projects.

The White House maintains that NCPC approval was not required for the East Wing demolition, asserting that the commissions authority applies to new construction rather than demolitions.

Author: Noah Whitman