White House Plans Underground Visitor Screening Center

New facility aims to improve security and reduce wait times for White House visitors.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 3:24am

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The White House is proposing to build a 33,000-square-foot underground visitor screening center in Washington, D.C. The facility would be located beneath Sherman Park, southeast of the White House, and would include seven lanes to process visitors more efficiently. Construction could begin as early as August 2026, with the goal of having the center operational by July 2028, six months before the end of President Trump's term.

Why it matters

The new screening center is part of the Trump administration's broader plan to overhaul the White House grounds and enhance security for visitors. The current screening process has led to long wait times for those wishing to tour the White House, and the underground facility is intended to improve the visitor experience while also bolstering protection.

The details

The screening facility would be a collaboration between the Executive Office of the President, the U.S. Secret Service, and the National Park Service, which manages the White House grounds. The plans include keeping the monument of Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman in the center of Sherman Park. In addition to the visitor screening center, the administration is also proposing to build a 90,000-square-foot building, including a large ballroom, where the East Wing of the White House currently stands.

  • Construction on the screening center could begin as early as August 2026.
  • The White House aims to have the new facility operational by July 2028, six months before the end of President Trump's term.

The players

Donald Trump

The current President of the United States, who has proposed the overhaul of the White House grounds, including the construction of the new visitor screening center.

U.S. Secret Service

The federal law enforcement agency that is collaborating on the design and construction of the new visitor screening center to enhance security at the White House.

National Park Service

The federal agency that manages the White House grounds and is involved in the planning and development of the new visitor screening center.

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What’s next

The National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to discuss the proposal for the new visitor screening center at its April 2 meeting, where they will also debate and vote on plans to build a 90,000-square-foot building, including a large ballroom, where the East Wing of the White House currently stands.

The takeaway

The White House's plan to build an underground visitor screening center is part of a broader effort to enhance security and improve the visitor experience at the presidential residence. While the new facility aims to reduce wait times and streamline the screening process, it also raises questions about the long-term impact on the historic White House grounds and the delicate balance between public access and heightened security measures.