Representative Yassamin Ansari has joined two congressional colleagues in demanding transparency about construction at the White House during the government shutdown.
Ansari, joined by Representatives Jared Huffman and Robert Garcia, sent a letter to President Donald Trump seeking details about a reported $250 million ballroom being built at the White House. The construction is taking place during an ongoing government shutdown.
According to the lawmakers, the project represents "one of the most substantial alterations to the White House in modern history." They note that the project was undertaken without public disclosure.
The National Capital Planning Commission, which oversees such construction, is currently closed due to the federal government shutdown. The lawmakers also reference reports that Treasury Department employees were told not to share photos of the building.
Project’s Interference
The letter points to President Trump's July statement that the project wouldn't interfere with the current building. The lawmakers note that the East Wing is being demolished as part of the construction.
The project is being funded through private donations from billionaires and corporations, and the lawmakers note that this is occurring while the government shutdown negatively affects federal services and employees.
The representatives are requesting extensive documentation within two weeks. This includes architectural plans, environmental assessments, historic preservation reviews, contract information, budget details, donor lists, and legal justifications for continuing the project during a lapse in appropriations.
"The American people deserve full transparency regarding the substantial demolition, preparation, and construction at the White House during a government shutdown, particularly when it concerns alterations to one of our nation's most historically significant buildings," the lawmakers wrote.
The letter requests both documentation and a briefing on the matter by November 6, 2025.
