WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ranking Member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, have demanded President Trump answer Congress and allow oversight into the demolition of the East Wing of the White House and the ongoing construction of the ballroom in its place. Corporations and private donors have provided over $200 million so far to fund the renovations and buy special access to the President. The list of donors includes Lockheed Martin, Google, Booz Allen Hamilton, Meta, Palantir, Caterpillar, Stephen Schwarzman, CEO of the Blackstone Group, and Harold Hamm, Chair of Continental Resources.
“By substituting transparent, appropriated federal funds with opaque private donations, you permit wealthy special interests to buy access to the President and influence over official decisions,” wrote the senators. “Of the approximately $200 million already collected, only $60 million can be tied to specific donors. The public has a right to know exactly who is funding the destruction of a protected historic structure, how much they are contributing, and what, if anything, they have been promised in return.”
The letter details how any construction or alteration of a public building must be submitted to and be approved by the General Services Administration (GSA), the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC). The National Parks Service has historically been involved in White House construction projects and was also excluded from this process.
“Notably, even your first Administration worked closely with GSA on the $3.4 million repair of the South Portico steps of the White House in 2017. To date, neither you nor GSA has contacted Congress about the proposed plans for the ballroom. The private donations for the ballroom do not negate your obligation to work with Congress and executive branch agencies to follow the law,” concluded the senators.
The members are demanding responses and documents from the Trump Administration by November 12, 2025.
The full text of the letter is available here.