The 90,000-square-foot, $300 million ballroom Donald Trump destroyed the East Wing of the White House to build is now a matter of national security and must be allowed to proceed, according to court documents filed Monday by the administration.
Yes, you read that correctly: National security, as Axios reported this morning.
“The Justice Department argued in the 36-page filing that ‘below-grade work’ on the project should continue, ‘given the security concerns inherent in leaving the East Wing foundation area unfinished.'”
Of course the “unfinished” area that causes such a security concern wouldn’t be there in the first place if Trump hadn’t ripped down the East Wing so he could construct the biggest vanity project in U.S. presidential history.
Even the Secret Service was called upon to lie for the Donald.
“The government also submitted a declaration from Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn, who said any pause in construction would ‘hamper the Secret Service’s ability to meet its statutory obligations and protective mission.'”
“He said ‘improvements to the site are still needed’ to meet the USSS’ security requirements, but did not elaborate on what those were.”
Improvements? What next? A giant mirrored disco ball in the center of the gaudy ballroom so Trump and his filthy rich guests can pretend they’re at Studio 54 circa 1982? If so, who’s the designated provider of blow required to make the moment truly realistic? Maybe Don Jr. can be of assistance in that department. (Sniff, sniff, Junior.)
Will the ballroom even be built? Not if the National Trust for Historic Preservation is successful with their lawsuit to block construction. They claim “[n]o president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review whatsoever.”
Here’s a better suggestion for the land where the East Wing once stood: Let’s turn it into a museum focused on the history of the White House and let Americans learn more about the building that has long been called “the people’s house.” After all, there’s a very real possibility that Donald Trump won’t still be president when the ballroom is completed, and recent polling shows most voters would just as soon forget the name Trump and his disastrous presidency as soon as possible.
