Military complex planned beneath White House ballroom

US President Donald Trump has said construction of the planned White House ballroom is progressing faster than expected while remaining on budget. He also unveiled new visuals of the project, which include the demolition of the East Wing.

According to Trump, the building will feature bulletproof glass windows and a drone-proof roof. ‘Unfortunately, we live in a time when that’s a good thing,’ he said, describing the ballroom as part of a larger complex, with a ‘massive’ military facility being built underneath.

He said the $400 million cost of the project would be covered by private donations.

The project faces legal and political challenges. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has filed a lawsuit, arguing that the administration bypassed mandatory reviews and public comment. A federal judge is expected to rule by the end of March on whether to temporarily halt the project while the case proceeds.

An exact completion date has not been set. The White House has said construction is expected to be completed before the end of Trump’s term.

(reuters, max)