PHOTOS: Construction projects begin on White House lawn, Rose Garden

1

From the Associated Press: WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House broke ground Monday on construction projects ordered by President Donald Trump to pave over the grass in the Rose Garden and install flagpoles on the north and south lawns.

The projects are part of a series of personal touches that Trump, a real estate developer turned politician, has added or is adding to the Executive Mansion and its grounds since he opened his second term in January. The projects also include new artwork of himself on walls and gold-toned flourishes in the Oval Office. He also wants to add a ballroom.

Reporters on Monday noticed that work had begun in the Rose Garden, just off the Oval Office on the south grounds, when they were taken out to the South Lawn to wait for Trump to return on the Marine One helicopter from an overnight at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland.

—-

Employees of the National Park Service, which maintains the White House grounds, started the work on Monday, according to a White House official. The project is set to be completed in about two months, or the first half of August, said the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly on intended changes to the Executive Mansion and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

President Trump had explained months ago that he wanted to replace the grassy center of the Rose Garden with a beautiful stone-paved surface, as press conferences and other events are often held there. He said the grass is always wet, and women wearing high heels have probles walking on the grass, with their heels sinking into the ground.

The White House has clarified that the roses and other flowers will all be left alone. The only change is that the grassy center will be replaced with stone pavers.

Trump is also having two large flag poles installed, one on the South Lawn and one on the North Lawn of the White House.

Trump walked over and spoke to the workers as they were beginning the project on Monday.

USA Today’s Joey Garrison posted a photo on Tuesday:

Journalist Tom Brenner shared photos showing the construction well underway on Thursday.

Democrats are having a fit over the update, claiming Trump is destroying the Rose Garden.

The Daily Beast blasted out a headline, “Trump bulldozes White House Rose Garden.”

 White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino shared the following video showing the Rose Garden on May 5.

Savino posted another video in March:

First Lady Melania Trump shared photos of the roses in full bloom in early May.

In March, Scavino posted multiple photos of the Rose Garden:

READ MORE from the Associated Press.

Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter.)
The DML News App: www.X.com/DMLNewsApp

The Dennis Michael Lynch Podcast archive is available below, with the most recent on top. Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the show by downloading The DML News App or go to Apple Podcasts.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS SECTION