Debris dumped at a nearby golf course from the White House’s East Wing demolition tested positive for lead, mercury, and chloroform, among other toxins, according to a recent report from the National Park Service.
The Park Service began dumping debris from the East Wing demolition site at the historic East Potomac Golf Links, a course used by previous presidents. An interim report requested by the National Park Service from Jacobs Engineering Group found toxic compounds and pollutants, traces of fuel, pesticides, herbicides, and toxic metals at levels above laboratory reporting limits at the historic golf course.
According to the report, the East Wing demolition has produced over 30,000 cubic yards of excavated soil, which has been stockpiled at the golf course since October.
Trump is seeking to build a $400 million, 90,000 square-foot White House ballroom to replace the now-demolished East Wing for state visits and parties. The project will also include a military bunker and is slated to hold 999 people.
On Saturday, President Donald Trump signaled he would redevelop the Potomac Links Golf Course into a championship-level venue.
On Monday, Ana C. Reyes, a Biden-appointed federal judge in Washington, D.C., asked the Trump administration to be transparent about its renovation plans.
“Given some issues around the district recently, I would have a particular concern that we not act first and ask forgiveness later,” Reyes said during a Monday morning hearing. “Because that’s not going to be acceptable, and I want you to make sure that that’s fully communicated to the agency. If anything like that happens, there are going to be serious consequences.”
Reyes added that if the Trump administration plans to cut down more than 10 trees, he would need court approval.
The nonprofit organization National Trust for Historic Preservation, which is also involved in lawsuits against Trump’s other Washington projects, filed an emergency motion to halt alterations and closures to the golf course after reports indicated the renovations could start as soon as May 4.
Trump’s White House project has faced mounting criticism in recent months, with some questioning the legality of the ballroom and arguing that the president needed congressional approval to alter the executive mansion.
A federal judge temporarily blocked the project in late March, but resumed it on April 18 following a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals.
DC JUDGE WARNS OF ‘SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES’ IF EAST POTOMAC GOLF LINKS CLOSED WITHOUT PROPER NOTICE
Many of Trump’s allies, however, argue that the project is necessary after the April 25 assassination attempt against Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Several lawmakers in both chambers have introduced legislation to approve the ballroom.
At the same time, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) called the ballroom a “vanity project that resulted from the destruction that was unauthorized of the East Wing of the White House.”