DC Preservation League sues Donald Trump to prevent "irreversible alterations" to Eisenhower building
Conservation group DC Preservation League and law firm Cultural Heritage Partners are suing US president Donald Trump to prevent him altering the appearance of the 19th-century Eisenhower building in Washington DC without a review.
In the suit, filled in federal court last week, the organisations asked for an emergency injunction to stop Trump repainting the National Historic Landmark after concern was raised following an appearance by the president on Fox News.
Trump suggests painting Eisenhower Executive Office Building
Speaking to the news channel, Trump suggested painting the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which stands alongside the White House. He showed Fox News host Laura Ingraham a visualisation of the building painted white.
"Look at it, how beautiful that is, with a coat of paint," he said.
"When that building was built, people considered it to be a really ugly building, and I looked at it – and some other people [looked at it] as one of the most beautiful buildings ever built," Trump added.
Asked what the works to the 137-year-old building would entail, Trump outlined how he believes the exterior needs updating and painting.
"It's cleaning and pointing and painting – it needs other work too," he said.
"I'm getting bids from painters"
He explained that work had not yet begun and that he was unsure whether it would, although he was seeking quotes for the works.
"I don't even know if I'm going to do it," he said. "I'm getting bids from painters and we'll see. It will be a great addition to Washington."
However, DC Preservation League and Cultural Heritage Partners (CHP) moved to block the potential works, which it said would amount to an "irreversible alteration".
"Federal law requires a careful, public, and expert review"
The suit highlights that any works to the building would need to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act, which requires public participation and expert consultation, along with an impact assessment report.
"Regardless of who occupies the White House, our nation's historic landmarks belong to the American people," said CHP founding partner Greg Werkheiser.
"Federal law requires a careful, public, and expert review before irreversible changes are made to a National Historic Landmark," he continued.
"We are filing this lawsuit to ensure that these long-standing protections are honored and that the public gets the transparency and due process the law guarantees."
Designed in the French Second Empire style, the building houses 1,500 federal employees. Its facade is largely built from granite, which gives it the colour described by Trump as "for funerals".
The proposed works follow the demolition of the East Wing of the White House, which was raised by Trump to make room for a ballroom.
Some argue that the demolition happened without due process; however, the current head of the National Capital Planning Commission Will Scharf reportedly said approval was not needed for the demolition.
The photography is via Shutterstock.
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