White House Plans Underground Visitor Screening Center

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The White House is proposing to construct an underground center that would provide security screening for visitors, the latest step in the Trump administration's plan to overhaul the presidential grounds. Visitors currently line up near Lafayette Park after President Donald Trump tore down the East Wing last fall to build a ballroom.

Why it matters

The new underground screening center is part of the Trump administration's broader efforts to enhance security and access control at the White House complex. This comes amid heightened concerns about potential threats to the president and other officials.

The details

The proposed underground screening facility would allow visitors to be processed and checked for security before entering the White House grounds. This would replace the current setup where visitors line up near Lafayette Park. The administration's plans also include demolishing the East Wing to build a new ballroom on the White House grounds.

• In fall 2025, President Trump tore down the East Wing to build a new ballroom.
• The White House is now proposing to construct an underground visitor screening center.

What’s next

The White House will need to obtain approval and funding from Congress to proceed with the underground screening center project.