Trump directs $875 million for White House renovations without Congressional approval

President Donald Trump’s administration in Washington has directed $875 million into a White House maintenance account and plans at least $900 million in grounds projects, The New Republic reported Wednesday, citing The Washington Post.

The reports said the administration pulled money from other government agencies and private donors and steered it into an account known as “White House Repair and Restoration.” The article said the account usually holds a few million dollars for routine White House maintenance.

About $500 million came from transfers from the U.S. Secret Service and the White House Military Office. Another $70 million was directed to the account, according to documents reviewed by The Washington Post, but the article did not identify the source of that money.

The planned “modernization projects” include a helipad, improvements to Lafayette Square, a new visitor screening center and a White House ballroom. The ballroom was ruled illegal in federal court last week and that Trump plans to appeal.

The ballroom was estimated to cost $600 million, up from $200 million when Trump first announced the project. Taxpayers will pay about half of the latest estimate, contradicting Trump’s promise that the vast majority would be paid for by private donations.

The New Republic described the spending process as unprecedented compared with previous administrations. It said earlier White House renovation requests were submitted to Congress and went through the appropriations process before agencies sought approvals and hired contractors.