The lawsuit demands that the government wait for the statutory review process, including a public hearing period. “The White House is arguably our nation’s most iconic building and a globally recognized symbol of our strong American ideals,” wrote National Trust for Historic Preservation President Carol Quillen. Trump had the East Wing of the White House demolished in order to build an 8,000 square meter ballroom in its place without obtaining approval from Congress and without applying for approval from the relevant federal commissions, the lawsuit says.
“Within days, the east wing and its colonnade – a version of which was first built on this site during the presidency of Thomas Jefferson – were completely destroyed.” to tear down any review – neither President Trump, nor President Joe Biden, nor anyone else, it said. Trump began the demolition work during the so-called shutdown, when all authorities in Washington were paralyzed. The hall is expected to cost around 300 million dollars (around 275 million euros), retain the neoclassical style of the presidential residence and offer space for around 1,000 guests. It should be finished before the end of Trump’s term in office.
US Admiral Alvin Holsey, who is responsible for Latin America, is retiring early amid growing tensions with Venezuela. Holsey was pressured to resign by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, three U.S. government officials and two people familiar with the matter said Friday. Hegseth is dissatisfied with the Southern Command and wants to expand the deployment of the US military in the region south of the USA. Holsey’s departure follows Wednesday’s seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker and more than 20 deadly attacks on suspected drug smuggling boats.
The background is US President Donald Trump’s goal to revive the Monroe Doctrine from the 19th century, which declares the Western Hemisphere to be Washington’s zone of influence. An indication of this change of course is the gathering of strong naval units in the Caribbean. The US government has declared the fight against drug cartels an armed conflict. Hegseth wrote that the military would track down the cartels, kill them and dismantle their networks.
