What to Know About the ‘Massive’ Military Bunker Beneath Trump’s Ballroom
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- President Trump's planned $400 million ballroom project includes extensive underground construction that involves expanding the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC), a secure bunker originally built during World War II.
- The PEOC has historically served as a critical emergency shelter for presidents and top officials, notably during events like the 9/11 attacks and the 2020 George Floyd protests.
- The underground bunker lies beneath the former East Wing, which Trump demolished to make way for the new ballroom, linking the two projects as part of a larger security initiative.
- Trump has publicly described the ballroom as a "shed" for the more significant and complex underground facility, emphasizing the security rationale behind the construction amid ongoing legal challenges.
