National Capital Planning Commission Meets To Discuss White House Ballroom Construction

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 8: White House Staff Secretary and National Capital Planning Commission Chairman Will Scharf says "I mean, there's a wide variety of people representing a wide variety of different interests on this commission. And I think the response was as positive as it was, in large part because the professionalism of the project team really displayed with their presentation." to reporters after a monthly NCPC meeting on January 8, 2026 in Washington, DC. During the meeting, the commission reviewed details of U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal for the construction of a new $400 million ballroom at the White House, which began months ago and will replace the demolished two-story East Wing. (Footage by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)