Overview
- The new Commission of Fine Arts members are Mary Anne Carter, Roger Kimball, Matthew Taylor and James McCrery, who previously led the ballroom design and will now help review it.
- The appointments, disclosed in court papers, revive a panel Trump had sidelined by dismissing six commissioners in October as East Wing demolition began.
- CFA briefings are scheduled for February 19 and March 19, an NCPC vote is expected March 5, and a January 29 hearing will address a preservationists’ request to pause work.
- Justice Department filings argue Congress has entrusted White House renovations to the president and urge dismissal of the National Trust lawsuit for lack of standing.
- Court documents say underground work is underway with details filed in classified form, above‑ground construction is not expected before April, and an NPS donation was transferred to the Executive Residence to run the project.