Trump Reshapes Washington's Design Watchdogs for White House Ballroom

New CFA appointees lack design expertise, raising concerns over federal aesthetic oversight

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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President Trump has overhauled the membership of the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), the federal agency tasked with reviewing and approving designs for monuments, memorials, and federal buildings in Washington, D.C. The recent appointment of a 26-year-old White House assistant with limited arts experience signals a departure from the CFA's historical composition of qualified design experts. This shift coincides with the administration's plans for a new White House ballroom and triumphal arch, projects facing scrutiny from preservation groups who argue the necessary federal reviews were bypassed.

Why it matters

The CFA and the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) play crucial roles in overseeing the aesthetic and planning aspects of federal projects in the nation's capital. The Trump administration's efforts to reshape these oversight bodies raise concerns about the future of federal design standards and the balance between presidential vision and expert review.

The details

President Trump has dismissed all six members of the CFA, leaving the board vacant for months before appointing new members, including Chamberlain Harris, a 26-year-old White House assistant with limited publicly known experience in the arts. These changes coincide with the administration's plans for a new White House ballroom and triumphal arch, which are facing scrutiny from preservation groups who argue the necessary federal reviews were bypassed. A lawsuit has been filed, alleging the administration should have consulted the CFA and NCPC before demolishing parts of the East Wing and beginning work on the ballroom.

  • In October 2025, President Trump dismissed all six members of the Commission of Fine Arts.
  • The White House aims to secure approval from both the CFA and NCPC for the ballroom project by March, with plans to commence above-ground construction in April.

The players

Commission of Fine Arts (CFA)

An independent federal agency that advises the President and Congress on design plans for monuments, memorials, and federal buildings in Washington, D.C.

Chamberlain Harris

A 26-year-old White House assistant with limited publicly known experience in the arts, who is set to be sworn in as a new member of the CFA.

National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC)

A federal agency that focuses on broader planning and coordination for federal projects in Washington, D.C.

Alex Krieger

A former CFA member and Harvard professor who described the situation as a 'catastrophe,' noting that some appointees have 'no qualification to judge design, architecture, or urbanism.'

President Trump

The current President of the United States, who has overseen the overhaul of the CFA and NCPC membership and is pushing for the construction of a new White House ballroom and triumphal arch.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.