White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday displayed historical photographs of major White House construction projects after a CBS News reporter questioned whether President Donald Trump had the authority to carry out current renovations on the East Wing, as reported by the Independent Journal Review.
During the press briefing, CBS White House correspondent Weijia Jiang pressed Leavitt about the temporary demolition and ballroom construction on the White House grounds, implying that President Trump believed he could “tear down whatever he wants” without oversight.
Leavitt responded by showing documented examples of similar construction projects throughout history, noting that presidents have long overseen structural changes to the executive residence.
“So it sounds like the answer is yes, he can tear down whatever he wants,” Jiang said.
“I mean, that’s not what we’re saying. That’s a legal opinion that’s been held for many years,” Leavitt replied. “No, it’s something that presidents have done for years and years. In fact, I have some photos here to show you the construction that’s taken place on the White House grounds.”
Leavitt presented several photographs dating back more than a century, beginning with the construction of the West Wing in 1902 during President Theodore Roosevelt’s administration.
“Look at this — the construction of the West Wing in 1902. The construction of the West Terrace in 1902. These images look quite similar to what you and the American people are seeing today. The construction of the East Terrace as well,” she said.
She then continued, “Look at the construction of the West Wing expansion in 1934. So look, this is a legal opinion that’s been held for many years. Look, this is 1950.”
When Jiang continued pressing her, Leavitt pointed to a photograph of a gutted White House from the Truman-era renovation. “What do you think that rubble is? How did that rubble get there?” she asked.
Presidents have overseen extensive renovations to the White House since the early 1900s. In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt constructed the West Wing and made substantial changes to the East Room, State Dining Room, and Entrance Hall.
In 1909, President William Howard Taft expanded the West Wing and added the first Oval Office.
In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt added a second floor to the West Wing and relocated the Oval Office to its current position. Facing structural damage years later, President Harry S. Truman gutted the building’s interior entirely, leaving only the exterior walls intact.
Subsequent presidents made their own additions: President Richard Nixon built the James S. Brady Briefing Room above the indoor swimming pool and added a bowling alley in the basement in 1973. President Barack Obama turned the tennis court into a basketball court in 2009.
Despite that history, several prominent Democrats — including Hillary Clinton, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom — have accused President Trump of overstepping his authority by authorizing the new ballroom construction.
