Trump says 'existing structure' of White House East Wing to be torn down

US President Donald Trump has announced that the existing structure of the White House East Wing will be torn down to construct a new $250m ballroom. Demolition work began on Monday and is expected to be completed by the weekend. The project marks an expansion of the construction project initially announced over the summer. Trump previously stated that his addition would not interfere with the current building, but criticism from opposition politicians has intensified as the scale of the works comes into focus. Conservationists have expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and scrutiny in the demolition process. The White House is exempt from the National Historic Preservation Act, but heritage preservation experts argue that a public review process should have been followed.