President Donald Trump is moving forward with a $400 million construction project at the White House that includes a new ballroom and a massive, high-security underground military complex.
Work began last year with the demolition of the White House East Wing. The project involves excavating beneath the site to replace the existing Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC), a bunker dating back to World War II.
Trump described the new underground facility as an enormous complex designed with enhanced defensive capabilities. During a press conference in late March, the president suggested the ballroom's construction is a matter of national security.
Advanced defensive features
The president told reporters that the new space, which he compared to a "shed," will span approximately 8,400 square meters. According to statements gathered by the New York Times, the facility will include air-raid shelters and critical medical infrastructure, including a hospital.
Trump emphasized that the site will feature high-level secure communication systems and defenses against biological weapons. "We have biodefense everywhere," the president said during a press conference.
To protect the bunker from drones and gunfire, the president noted that the ballroom structure itself will serve as a shield. "It is high-quality bulletproof glass. All the windows are bulletproof," Trump said.
During a cabinet meeting in late March, Trump claimed that military officials were the primary drivers behind the project. "The military wanted it more than anyone," he stated.
Legal challenges regarding the project's funding and oversight continue. Critics argue the administration requires Congressional approval for such large-scale construction.
While judicial requests were filed to halt work pending legislative permission, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on April 11 that construction could proceed through at least April 17, according to CNN.
