White House fires arts commission expected to review Trump construction projects

[highplainsdem]

Source: Washington Post

The White House on Tuesday fired all six members of the Commission of Fine Arts, an independent federal agency that was expected to review some of President Donald Trump’s construction projects, including his planned triumphal arch in Washington.

-snip-

The commission, which was established by Congress more than a century ago and traditionally includes a mix of architects and urban planners, is charged with providing advice to the president, Congress and local government officials on design matters related to construction projects in the Capitol region. Former president Joe Biden appointed the six sitting commissioners to four-year terms, several of which should have extended through 2028. Their termination comes as the White House gears up to implement several Trump construction projects, including his planned $300 million White House ballroom, and seeks to install allies on key review boards.

-snip-

The Commission on Fine Arts has traditionally reviewed major projects at the White House, but Trump may sidestep its review of his ballroom, citing historical precedent, architectural experts said. During a 1947 battle with President Harry S. Truman, who sought to add a balcony to the White House, CFA’s then-chairman said the panel could serve only in an “advisory” role to the president. Truman ultimately proceeded with his plans, setting an example that Trump appears poised to follow.

White House officials, however, are considering building the arch on federal land that does not qualify to the same exemptions as the White House. As a result, some of the fired commissioners had expected to play a role reviewing the design.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/10/28/trump-arts-commission-firings-ballroom-arch/

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. Fascist move for fascist architecture. . . . . . nt

[yellow dahlia]

2. The Constitution has issued a BOLO.

Be on the look out for Article 1.

It is among the missing.

[IcyPeas]

3. The 6 were appointed by..... Joe Biden. /nt

[lastlib]

4. This is what we have to look forward to:

[Wednesdays]

8. Or something more like this

THAT was Hitler's "Große Halle" (the Great Hall), that he planned on building once he won the war, and established Berlin as the capital of the world. That building's dome would have been a whopping 1000 feet in diameter.

By contrast, the Brandenburg Gate has been around since the 18th century.

[kerouac2]

5. Sheesh. So obvious. Zero barriers to these thugs

And they are only a year into it. They are still discovering just how far they can go to do anything they want.

[littlemissmartypants]

9. Unfortunately, they aren't really "discovering" anything. They're following a long ago established, written protocol. ❤️

[travelingthrulife]

6. Slap handcuffs on these monsters.

[electric_blue68]

7. Effin' Esthetically LACKING Oaf!

[gfarber]

10. The Arch Of Ambition

Six experts of planning and art,
From the White House were told to depart.
They’d reviewed grand designs,
Now they’re cut from the lines—
Dismissed ere they’d even take part.

A triumphal arch Trump proposed,
With columns and grandeur imposed.
But the board got the sack,
Before viewing the plaque—
And the critics’ concern only rose.

A ballroom for banquets and praise,
Three hundred mil in the blaze.
“The panel’s advisory,”
Trump said, rather wryly—
“Like Truman, I’ll do it my way.”

For a century, Congress decreed,
That good taste the nation should heed.
But when power’s at play,
Advice drifts away—
And decorum gives way to pure speed.

The arch might rise high on D.C. ground,
Where oversight laws still abound.
Though the board was dismissed,
Its role might persist—
If the courts keep their footing sound.

In Washington’s marble and might,
The line between wrongness and right
Is shaped not in stone,
But by who holds the phone—
And who gets the call late at night.

[Bayard]

11. Just what is his, "triumphal arch," supposed to be celebrating?

His complete takeover of our government? The screwing over of America?

I really hope his continuing ostentatious homage to himself while thousands in this country can't buy groceries, or pay mortgages/rent will finally crash on his head.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

13. Trump ending six wars. No, seven. Wait, ...

... I think the arch needs an old McDonalds sign, to keep up with how many wars he ended.

Maybe it's two arches. Golden ones.

Yes, that's it.

[riversedge]

15. Yes, a Mac and D sign would be helpful.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

19. It would need to display a very large number of wars ended

[Drum]

12. Apprentice Run Amok.

[IronLionZion]

14. White House fires arts commission expected to review Trump construction projects

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/10/28/trump-arts-commission-firings-ballroom-arch/

[appleannie1]

16. I can imagine what they would say about his gaudy gold crap.

[dlk]

17. Are there any actual blueprints, anywhere, for this boondoggle?

Another day, another shakedown…

[Wild blueberry]

18. Of course the short-fingered vulgarian did

News for ya, Donny: No one loves you. No one has ever loved you. When you die, no one will grieve you.
Nothing you can do will fill that hole.

[Jbraybarten]

20. ugh