The newly reopened Washington Monument is offering a dramatic new perspective on the sweeping changes unfolding at the White House. Its 555-foot-high observation deck, known for panoramic views of the nation’s capital, now provides an unexpected vantage point into the ongoing demolition of the East Wing.
Freelance Washington, D.C., photographer Andrew Leyden captured and posted images from atop the monument last week, sharing a clear look at the construction site below. The photos show cranes, demolition equipment, and a vast open pit where the East Wing once stood — a sight that has intensified public debate about the White House’s renovation plans.
The East Wing was demolished last month at the direction of President Donald Trump, who previously claimed construction of a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom would not require the wing’s removal. That statement was contradicted when images of a bulldozer crashing through the structure’s outer walls began circulating online.
The White House says the goal is to create a venue capable of hosting large international events. As the administration explained earlier this year:
"The White House is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders and other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building entrance."
According to plans outlined by the administration, the forthcoming ballroom will be an “ornately designed and carefully crafted space” capable of seating 650 guests, more than tripling the capacity of the historic East Room.
Public backlash has been swift, especially among preservationists who argue that the decision lacked transparency and failed to undergo standard public review. The National Trust for Historic Preservation expressed its concerns in an open letter dated Oct. 21, writing that it was "deeply concerned" about the pace and nature of the demolition and urging the National Park Service to halt the project until the plans could be evaluated more thoroughly.
Their alarm was amplified by the East Wing’s historical significance. While the most recent version was constructed in 1942, the East Wing has long served as the office of the First Lady and housed critical staff operations. Many argue that its removal disrupts the architectural balance and historical continuity of the White House complex.
The administration has repeatedly pushed back on criticism, framing objections as politically motivated. In a sharply worded statement released Oct. 21, officials said:
"In the latest instance of manufactured outrage, unhinged leftists and their Fake News allies are clutching their pearls over President Donald J. Trump’s visionary addition of a grand, privately funded ballroom to the White House — a bold, necessary addition that echoes the storied history of improvements and additions from commanders-in-chief to keep the executive residence as a beacon of American excellence."
The $300 million project, according to the White House, will be financed privately. President Trump has said the ballroom will be paid for by himself and a coalition of prominent donors, including major tech companies such as Google, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple. This level of corporate participation in a structural expansion of the White House is unprecedented and has raised separate questions about influence, oversight, and historical preservation.
The Washington Monument’s reopening — following a period of maintenance and upgrades — has coincided with some of the most visually striking phases of the East Wing teardown. Visitors can now see firsthand the transformation that is reshaping the iconic grounds, providing a rare public window into one of the most significant White House construction projects in decades.
As crews continue the methodical demolition and site preparation, the scale of the work underscores how significantly the new ballroom will alter the East Wing footprint. Supporters argue the upgrade will modernize the White House’s ability to host state functions, while critics warn that the project sets a concerning precedent for circumventing traditional review processes.
Regardless of viewpoint, the construction visible from the Washington Monument marks a historic architectural shift — one that will redefine not only the physical layout of the White House but also the ongoing debate about how America preserves its most symbolic structures.
Originally reported by Michelle Del Rey in USA TODAY
