Washington, Oct 24 (NationPress) Following the commencement of demolition in part of the East Wing, traditionally the First Lady's workspace, to construct President Donald Trump's expansive $250 million ballroom, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, "President Trump is ensuring that the People's House will continue to serve the American people and their presidents for centuries to come!"

In a post on X, Leavitt affirmed: "By building this beautiful and much-needed ballroom, President Trump is ensuring that the People’s House will continue to serve the American people and their presidents for centuries to come!"

On Monday, the White House initiated the demolition of part of the East Wing, despite not having construction approval from the federal agency responsible for overseeing such projects.

Dramatic images from the demolition revealed construction machinery dismantling the East Wing facade, with debris strewn across the ground.

Some reporters observed the work from a park adjacent to the Treasury Department, located next to the East Wing.

Trump announced the beginning of construction via social media while hosting the 2025 college baseball champions, Louisiana State University and LSU-Shreveport, in the East Room, mentioning that the work was occurring "right behind us".

"We have a lot of construction going on, which you might hear periodically," he remarked, adding, "It just started today."

The White House has proceeded with this significant construction project without yet securing clearance from the National Capital Planning Commission, which oversees construction and major renovations of government buildings in the Washington area.

At the commission's September meeting, its chairman, Will Scharf, who also serves as the White House Staff Secretary and a senior aide to Trump, clarified that the agency does not oversee demolition or site preparation for federal buildings.

"What we deal with is essentially construction, vertical build," Scharf explained last month.

It remains uncertain if the White House has submitted the ballroom plans for the commission's evaluation and approval.

The White House did not respond to an inquiry regarding this matter, and the commission's offices are currently closed due to the government shutdown.

In July, when the project was first announced, Trump assured that the ballroom would not disrupt the mansion itself.

"It'll be near it but not touching it and pays total respect to the existing building, which I'm the biggest fan of," he stated regarding the White House.

The East Wing accommodates several offices, including those of the First Lady. Constructed in 1902, it has undergone renovations over the years, including a second story added in 1942, as per White House records.

Leavitt confirmed that the East Wing offices would be temporarily relocated during construction and that the wing would be modernized and renovated.

"Nothing will be torn down," she assured when introducing the project in July.

Trump maintains that Presidents have yearned for such a ballroom for 150 years, emphasizing that he is adding the substantial 90,000-square-foot, glass-walled space since the East Room—currently the largest room in the White House with a capacity of nearly 200—is too small.

He has expressed discomfort with the idea of hosting royalty and heads of state in pavilions on the South Lawn.

In his social media announcement, Trump claimed that the project would be completed "with zero cost to the American Taxpayer! The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly".

The ballroom will represent the most significant structural alteration to the Executive Mansion since the addition of the Truman Balcony overlooking the South Lawn in 1948, even surpassing the residence itself.

The White House has committed to revealing the contributors for the ballroom’s funding, but has yet to disclose this information.

Tree clearing on the southern grounds and other preparatory work began in September.

Plans are in place for the ballroom to be completed prior to the conclusion of Trump's term in January 2029.