A Palace for the People or for the Powerful?
The $200 million White House renovation blurs the line between public legacy and private influence. The White House grows grander as the gap between power and the people widens. What does this new renovation at the White House mean for the country right now? Is it out of touch with the pain many families feel as bills rise and services stall? While the federal government sits closed because of partisan gridlock, heavy machines are carving into the soil behind the famous white walls. Crews are shaping a grand addition that will not hide behind paint or trim. It will change the silhouette of the most recognized home in America. The last time we saw work this bold, a president faced a building that was literally unsafe. Harry Truman had to move out while workers rebuilt the inside from the studs. That was a rescue job. This is a redesign. Announced as a vast new State Ballroom and expansion of the complex, with a price tag that private backers celebrate and critics question, it lands like...
