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Historic preservationists, including the DC Preservation League and Cultural Heritage Partners, are suing President Trump over plans to paint the Eisenhower Executive Office Building white, alleging irreversible damage. The suit argues that the Trump administration must adhere to federal law that requires environmental and historic preservation review before significant changes are made to national historic landmarks. Completed in 1888, the ornate structure houses the president’s staff and has a unique French Second Empire style, which has been controversial since its inception.
Preservationists Sue Trump Over Plans to Paint Historic Building
The DC Preservation League and Cultural Heritage Partners filed a lawsuit against President Trump for plans to paint the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB), next to the White House. They express concern over irreversible damage to the historic structure.
The lawsuit asks the US District Court for the District of Columbia to prevent any alterations without standard review. CNN reached out to the White House for comment. Trump mentioned painting the EEOB, a sprawling Gilded Age structure, bright white during an interview with Fox News.
Trump’s aesthetic changes to federal buildings have been controversial, such as his plans to create a massive ballroom and install a triumphant arch to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US founding.
The lawsuit asserts that the Trump administration must follow the environmental and historic preservation review required by federal law. Any bypassing of these reviews could cause irreversible damage due to potential moisture trapping within the painted wall system, accelerating deterioration. Removing paint from the granite and slate could also cost immensely and potentially lead to material loss.
Greg Werkheiser of Cultural Heritage Partners emphasized that historic landmarks belong to the public, requiring careful, public, and expert reviews before irreversible changes. Completed in 1888, the EEOB houses the president’s staff, including the Office of the Vice President, the National Security Council, and the Office of Management and Budget.
Although the EEOB’s unique French Second Empire style remains controversial since its inception, it is still perceived as an architectural masterpiece. It is often described as the “ugliest building in America” by White House tour guides, quoting Mark Twain, and President Harry Truman called it a “monstrosity.”
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