The White House is in the midst of a heated debate over President Trump's plans to add a ballroom to the East Wing. The National Capital Planning Commission has released over 9,000 pages of public comments denouncing the project, which has sparked a range of reactions from outrage to technical advice. The public comments run the gamut, with some calling the addition a "complete disaster" and others imploring the commission to avoid "gaudy fake gold stuff." The project has also raised questions about the future of the White House and the impact of Trump's relentless drive to leave his imprint on Washington. The NCPC has the authority to fuss over everything from tree placement to light-bulb lumens, and many expect the commission to follow the lead of another Trump-stacked panel, the Commission on Fine Arts, which recently signed off on the design. Thursday's meeting is expected to be contentious, with about a hundred people registered to testify virtually. The commission could take more testimony after the meeting, before a final vote at its April meeting.
