Kathmandu— The White House is defending reports of nearly $1 billion in planned construction projects, including a large new ballroom intended to replace much of the East Wing. The Trump administration maintains the work is “long-overdue and necessary” for presidential security, funded largely by private donors, despite scrutiny from lawmakers and legal challenges questioning the funding sources and potential conflicts of interest.

Security Justifications

White House spokesman Davis Ingle cited recent security incidents and preparations for the 250th anniversary of US independence as justification for the extensive renovations. He stated that the work is being conducted in coordination with both the Secret Service and the White House Military Office, emphasizing its importance to protecting the President and other officials.

Funding Sources Detailed

Approximately $875 million has been allocated to the White House Repair and Restoration account, a significant increase from its typical funding level. Of that amount, around $500 million originated from the Secret Service and the White House Military Office, while another $305 million came from private donations. The source of an additional $70 million remains unclear. Ingle specified that approximately $400 million for the new ballroom is being provided by President Trump and “generous American patriots”.

Legal And Ethical Concerns

The reconstruction project has drawn criticism from lawmakers and legal challenges, with concerns raised about potential quid pro quo arrangements between donors and government contracts. Public Citizen reported that corporate donors to the project had received over $50 billion in government contracts within the previous six months. A federal judge recently issued a halt to work on the ballroom specifically, requiring Congressional approval under existing law.

The future of the White House construction projects remains uncertain as legal challenges continue and scrutiny over funding sources persists.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.