Halt Unauthorized Demolition of White House East Wing
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I am writing to express my deep concern and opposition to the ongoing demolition of the White House East Wing. This unauthorized and unilateral action by President Trump is a grave overreach of executive power and must be halted immediately.
The East Wing, built in 1942 during Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency, is an integral part of our nation's history. Its sudden demolition, announced by Trump administration officials as happening "within days," is a significant expansion of the initially proposed ballroom project. This drastic change from the July announcement, which promised not to interfere with the current building, is alarming and unacceptable.
The $300 million project, funded by Trump and private donors, lacks transparency and proper oversight. The White House's claim that they aren't required to submit plans for review because only demolition has begun is a dangerous precedent that sidesteps crucial public review processes. The National Trust for Historic Preservation's call to pause demolition until legally required reviews are completed must be heeded.
This action is not just about a building; it's about the erosion of our democratic norms and the abuse of presidential authority. The White House belongs to the American people, not to any single president. Trump's unilateral decision to remake a historic part of our national heritage without proper authorization or public input is deeply troubling.
I urge you to take immediate action to stop this demolition. Please demand a full investigation into the legality of this project and insist on adherence to all required review processes. Our nation's heritage and the integrity of our democratic institutions are at stake. We must act now to preserve the people's house for future generations and to reaffirm that no president is above the law or beyond accountability.