Overview
- A court filing names Mary Anne Carter, Roger Kimball, James McCrery, and Matthew Taylor as new Commission of Fine Arts members who will review the East Wing ballroom plans.
- The filing confirms the National Park Service accepted a donation on November 13 and transferred the funds to the Executive Residence, which is managing the roughly $400 million project.
- Justice Department lawyers asked the judge to dismiss the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s lawsuit, arguing the group lacks standing and that Congress has entrusted White House renovations to the president’s discretion.
- Project scheduling in court records shows an NCPC final submission due January 30, an expected NCPC vote on March 5, and CFA presentations on February 19 and March 19 with review completion targeted by March 19.
- Underground construction is already underway, with officials saying no above‑ground work will occur before April, and DOJ and Secret Service declarations warn that halting work would risk national security.