Federal Panel Reviews Trump Plan for Permanent Lafayette Square Fence as 33,000-Square-Foot Facility Advances
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 16
Federal Panel Reviews Trump Plan for Permanent Lafayette Square Fence as 33,000-Square-Foot Facility Advances
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 16
Summary
Thursday’s Commission of Fine Arts meeting will weigh the Trump administration’s proposal to permanently fence Lafayette Square, the protest-heavy park beside the White House.
The administration says repeated demonstrations have turned violent, citing clashes with police, vandalism and pro-Gaza graffiti as evidence that White House security needs stronger barriers.
The same panel is also set to review a 33,000-square-foot visitor security screening facility, another significant change to the White House grounds under Trump.
Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton has introduced legislation to block permanent fencing, arguing the park has long served as a key venue for First Amendment protests and public gatherings.