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Trump’s DC makeover frenzy bewilders locals and visitors: ‘It’s like we’re under occupation’
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Washington DC is undergoing extensive renovations and construction projects ordered by President Trump ahead of the US’s 250th anniversary, causing many historic sites like Lafayette Square and the National Mall to be temporarily closed or obscured from public view.
- The White House East Wing is being demolished to build a $600 million ballroom, half funded by taxpayers, contradicting Trump’s claim of private funding and a $400 million cost.
- Local preservationists and visitors express frustration over the disruptions, with many feeling the projects prioritize Trump’s legacy over the nation’s heritage and public access.
- Controversial plans include a $100 million, 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery, which critics argue would disrupt Washington’s iconic skyline and sightlines to monuments.
- The city’s atmosphere is described as forbidding and exclusionary due to construction barriers and event preparations, dampening the experience for tourists and residents ahead of the national celebrations.
