1. United States
2. Ore.
3. Letter

I write as a deeply concerned citizen regarding the ongoing construction of a new ballroom at the White House, reportedly funded through private donations and designed in a style that departs dramatically from the historic and architectural character of the People’s House. While it has been stated that this project relies on private funds, it nonetheless involves the physical alteration of one of our nation’s most important historic sites — a structure symbolically and legally held in trust for the American people. The White House is not a private residence; it is a living institution that embodies the republic itself. Even if privately financed, the project warrants full disclosure and Congressional inquiry under the powers of oversight and preservation policy. Several points underscore the urgency • Historic Preservation Standards: The White House is exempt from the mandatory Section 106 review of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (54 U.S.C. § 306107). Yet Congress has the authority to require transparency and review through legislation or committee inquiry. • Architectural and Cultural Stewardship: Under the Act of September 22, 1961 (75 Stat. 586) and 3 U.S.C. § 110, the Executive Residence must preserve its “museum character” and its furnishings “with a view to conserving the best specimens of early American furniture and furnishings.” • Advisory Bodies’ Roles: The Committee for the Preservation of the White House (created by Executive Order 11145) and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (authorized to advise on design and aesthetics of federal property in the capital) both exist to protect the historic integrity of the White House and its grounds. Any alteration on the scale of this ballroom should be subject to their review and public reporting. • Public Accountability: Even privately funded projects conducted on federal property remain bound by principles of public trust. The appearance of exclusivity, secrecy, or private benefit derived from federal property undermines the foundations of republican governance. I urge Congress to: 1. Hold immediate hearings to require public disclosure of the design, funding, and materials of the proposed ballroom; 2. Direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess whether federal standards for preservation, procurement, and ethical conduct are being followed; and 3. Reaffirm the White House as the People’s House — not the private estate of any one officeholder.