BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
President Donald Trump is moving ahead with a controversial proposal to paint the exterior of the historic Eisenhower Executive Office Building white, a dramatic change that has sparked strong opposition from preservationists, architects and historians who warn the project could permanently damage one of the nation’s most important government landmarks.
The proposal is expected to face scrutiny Thursday when the National Capital Planning Commission begins reviewing the plan during a scheduled hearing. The administration hopes to secure approval for what would become one of the most visible architectural changes around the White House in decades.
Trump has argued that the building’s current gray granite appearance is unattractive and outdated, previously describing the color as “really bad.” The proposed makeover is part of a broader effort by the president to reshape the appearance of Washington and leave a lasting visual legacy in the nation’s capital.
The Eisenhower Executive Office Building, located directly beside the West Wing, is one of the most recognizable government buildings in the United States. Built in the late 19th century, the structure is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of French Second Empire architecture in America. Its granite, slate and cast-iron exterior has long been considered historically significant, and the building holds designation as a National Historic Landmark while also being listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Originally constructed to house the State, War and Navy departments, the massive building now contains ceremonial offices for the vice president, offices for the second lady, the National Security Council and several additional White House operations.
The White House has defended the plan by arguing that the exterior has deteriorated significantly over time. Josh Fisher, a White House official involved in the proposal, previously told the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts that the administration believes painting the entire structure would improve its appearance because the stone facade is heavily stained and showing signs of serious wear.
Administration officials have also claimed that experts consulted by the government could not guarantee that simply cleaning the granite would adequately restore the building. As a result, the White House has proposed either painting the entire structure white or using a compromise approach that would leave the granite base exposed while covering most of the upper exterior surfaces with paint.
The proposal is part of a sweeping set of renovations and construction projects Trump has promoted around the White House complex since returning to office. Plans already underway include the demolition of the East Wing to make room for a new ballroom capable of holding roughly 1,000 guests. Nearby, renovations are also taking place in Lafayette Square, where fountains are being restored and landscaping upgrades are underway.
Despite the administration’s arguments, the paint proposal has generated widespread backlash from experts in architecture and historic preservation. Critics say granite was never intended to be painted and warn that applying paint could trap moisture inside the stone, accelerate deterioration and create even greater long-term maintenance problems.
Opponents also argue that painting the building would erase important historic character and fundamentally alter one of Washington’s iconic landmarks. Preservation groups have questioned whether the administration has fully studied the long-term effects of coating granite with paint, especially on a structure more than a century old.
Public reaction has also been overwhelmingly negative. Hundreds of pages of public comments submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission reportedly oppose the project. Many commenters argued that taxpayers would ultimately bear the cost of future repairs if the painted surface begins peeling or damaging the stone beneath. Others suggested alternative improvements such as enhanced lighting, landscaping upgrades and professional cleaning rather than permanently altering the facade.
The Society of Architectural Historians recently sent a formal letter to senior White House aide Will Scharf, who also chairs the planning commission, urging the administration to abandon the proposal. The organization warned that the project could “adversely and permanently alter” a significant piece of American architectural heritage.
A staff report prepared for the planning commission stopped short of fully endorsing the proposal. Instead, the report recommended support for cleaning the building while requesting substantially more information before any decision is made about painting the granite exterior.
Commission staff also requested that the White House provide technical details regarding the specific type of paint being considered, including examples of other successful projects where paint had been applied to exterior granite facades without causing damage. Officials additionally asked the administration to outline alternative methods for improving the building’s appearance, including restoration cleaning and upgraded lighting systems.
The controversy surrounding the proposal has already reached the courts. A lawsuit challenging the legality of the plan is currently moving through the federal court system as opponents seek to block any permanent alterations to the historic structure.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts reviewed preliminary aspects of the proposal but delayed a final decision, directing White House officials to return later with additional information and results from paint testing studies before the commission proceeds further.
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