Construction crews have erected scaffolding and tarps around the White House’s North Portico, a project the Secret Service describes as an urgent security upgrade to the building’s front entrance. The work, which includes restoring stone columns, is expected to continue through mid-September as part of a broader, multi-billion-dollar series of renovations across Washington.
Doug Burgum Oversees North Portico Renovations
The current construction at the North Portico involves repairing stone columns that officials say were in poor condition. Secretary of the Interior Forbes noted that workers have removed “about 150 years of paint” from the columns, describing them as having been “treated very badly by a lot of presidents.” According to iHeart, these repairs are part of a targeted effort to fortify the executive mansion’s entrance following recent security incidents, including a shooting near the White House in May.
The administration has characterized the work as standard restoration, though the Secret Service has explicitly requested these enhancements. Beyond the Portico, the administration is considering installing permanent fencing around the White House and Lafayette Square. Such a project would require approval from the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts, reflecting a long-standing desire by the Secret Service to restrict pedestrian access more effectively during periods of heightened risk.
Patty Murray and Christopher S. Murphy Challenge Secret Service Disbursements
The North Portico project is one of several construction efforts under the umbrella of a massive modernization campaign. A central point of contention in Congress is the status of a proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom, which has become a lightning rod for criticism regarding the use of taxpayer funds. While President Donald Trump initially promised the ballroom would be “taxpayer-free” and funded entirely by private donors, Roll Call reports that internal records show the White House Office of Management and Budget recently apportioned nearly $400 million in federal funds to Secret Service accounts.
Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Patty Murray and Sen. Christopher S. Murphy, have called for a Government Accountability Office investigation into these disbursements. They argue the transfers may violate the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits agencies from spending funds beyond what Congress has explicitly authorized. The administration maintains that these funds are designated for security infrastructure—such as bulletproof glass, drone detection, and a bunker located beneath the East Wing—rather than the ballroom itself.
John Kennedy and Thom Tillis Debate Security Appropriations
The debate over how to fund these security measures has reached a stalemate in the Senate. Republican leadership previously attempted to include $1 billion for “security adjustments and upgrades” within a $70 billion reconciliation bill, but the proposal faced resistance from both sides of the aisle. As AP News reported, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) stated the bill was “back to square one” as lawmakers struggled to find enough support for the package.
The administration’s argument, supported by House Speaker Mike Johnson, is that the security requirements are urgent and distinct from the ballroom project. However, skeptical lawmakers, including Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), have questioned the lack of transparency surrounding the costs. “If the East Wing needs support, we should be transparent about if that is in fact what happened,” Tillis told NOTUS.
Xi Jinping Visit Prompts South Lawn Helipad Expansion
The White House projects are part of a larger wave of construction across the capital, with more than $1.2 billion in active projects currently underway. These include a new helipad on the South Lawn, which saw its budget increased by $875,000 to meet deadlines for an expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping in September.
Concurrently, the National Park Service has implemented partial closures of Lafayette Park and the White House sidewalk to facilitate repairs and infrastructure upgrades. According to nps.gov records, these closures are scheduled to last through May 31, 2026, and were requested by the Secret Service to ensure a secure perimeter for both construction crews and the public.
As the administration moves forward, the legal status of the East Wing project remains in flux. A federal court previously blocked attempts to rename the Kennedy Center and renovate it under the president’s direction, and the administration is currently appealing that decision. Meanwhile, the Senate remains divided on whether to provide explicit legislative approval for the security-related spending associated with the East Wing. With the North Portico work expected to wrap up by mid-September, the focus will likely shift back to the broader budget reconciliation process and whether the White House can secure the funds it deems necessary for its “highly sophisticated” security infrastructure.
