• Trump fired all six members of the Commission of Fine Arts, appointed by Biden.
• The commission is responsible for approving significant D.C. construction projects.
• Upcoming projects include a 90,000-square-foot ballroom and a triumphal arch.
• Critics have raised concerns about the lack of public consultation and historic preservation.
• The administration argues that previous presidents have made similar changes.

The White House has dismissed all six members of the Commission of Fine Arts, a federal agency responsible for overseeing architectural developments in Washington, D.C. This decision aligns with President Trump's intent to appoint members more in tune with his "America First Policies," as he progresses with plans for a new ballroom and a triumphal arch in the capital, according to The Hill and CBS News.

The commission, originally established in 1910, is charged with advising on the design and aesthetics of public spaces in the capital. The dismissed members, appointed during Joe Biden's presidency, had terms set to expire in 2028. The administration's recent moves come as Trump aims to demolish the East Wing of the White House to construct a ballroom estimated to cost around $300 million, as noted by India Times and CBS News.

Building this ballroom would represent one of the most substantial alterations to the White House in recent history, yet the administration claims it does not require approval from the Fine Arts Commission, stating that only new "vertical" construction needs such endorsement. Instead, it will engage with the National Capital Planning Commission for approvals, as confirmed by The Hill and India Times.

Trump's alterations have drawn criticism from several quarters, including historic preservation groups and Democratic lawmakers, who argue that the drastic changes have been made without adequate public consultation. The criticism heightened following the East Wing's demolition, which some viewed as initiated in secrecy. In a public letter, representatives stated that "decisions were made...without public disclosure or proper consultation," reflecting a significant concern regarding transparency in the administration's approach to public projects, as reported by CBS News.