House Democrats request details on White House ballroom from President Trump

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CBS News

October 23, 2025 / 6:00 AM EDT / CBS News


House Democrats, disturbed by what they see as the destruction of a historic landmark, are demanding answers about the forthcoming White House ballroom. In a letter to President Trump, a trio of Democrats expressed concern about "transparency, funding priorities, the physical integrity of the White House and the ethical integrity of the Administration it houses."

Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, along with Democratic Reps. Yassamin Ansari of Arizona and Jared Huffman of California, wrote that decisions about the ballroom addition "were made in complete secrecy" and without "public disclosure or proper consultation."

This week, demolition crews began dismantling the White House East Wing to make room for the privately funded ballroom, which is expected to exceed 90,000 square feet. Mr. Trump said the cost of the building had ballooned to $300 million, up from its original estimate of $200 million in July.

"Essentially, it's Donald Trump doing what he wants while the government is shut down," Rep. Garcia, of California, told CBS News in a telephone interview. "The images are incredibly disturbing." Garcia, Huffman and Ansari asked the White House to turn over communication related to the ongoing demolition. They also requested architectural plans, a detailed budget for the project, a list of all donors and legal justifications for the structure. Democrats lack the power to unilaterally subpoena documents, so the letter amounts to a voluntary request — not a binding demand.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/house-democrats-request-trump-ballroom-details/

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Link to Reps. Garcia, Ansari, Huffman PRESS RELEASE - Ansari, Huffman, Garcia Demand Transparency on White House Ballroom Construction During Shutdown

Link to LETTER (inquiry) (PDF) - https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-oversight.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/2025-10-23-hga-ballroom-construction-white-houserhxvxvutu58xtd726w0se9d5uvbd8t.pdf

[Drum]

1. Killing architectural hostages. What's next?

[Walleye]

2. A request? Well that's not gonna work.

They keep bringing up talking points about other presidents who have modified the White House. But other presidents have gone through Congress and worked with the historic landmark people. They didn’t just decide to do it and we wake up and see the White House being torn down.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. We don't control the Committees because we are in the minority and don't have Chairs with subpoena power

But in most cases, these inquiries DO get responses. They might not be comprehensive (and they will get follow-up requests), but most don't blow them off. Any responses are used for future hearings.

[Bayard]

4. Glad to see this

I hope more Dems join them.

[IbogaProject]

5. Dont take the bait

ACA subsidies and the Epstein files need to be our primary focus during this crisis, like a carrot and stick. The GOP may relent on the ACA subsidies in some lame evil way but at this stage they have to blink, and while they hold out we have to hammer a simple narrative "this is all to hide the files" reguardless of Mango Ceaser's true motives.

[Miguelito Loveless]

6. The "plans" are irrelevant

He should be charged with vandalizing a national monument.

[vapor2]

7. IT'S NOT HIS EFFN HOUSE........IT IS THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE

Where are the spineless repugs?

[Magoo48]

8. The Orange, cartoon-character's response:

Oh well, it’s really fucking big, and there’s lots of gold, and when it’s all done, Pootie and I are going to sit in it and have big Mac and french fries, oh, and Coca-Cola with pure cane sugar. Then, we’re going to go down to the situation room and talk about world conquest where we can move the little ships and airplanes all over the big board.