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U.S. President Donald Trump has angered many Americans who have watched videos of the demolition of the East Wing of the White House. The stunning visual of the torn-down building symbolizes to many how Trump views the presidency. This highest honor has become, in his hands, a tool for pursuing his own goals without concern for tradition, precedent, and history. Despite all the memories of receptions and meetings that filled the air of those hallowed halls, Trump has torn the wing down to the bones so that he can build a ballroom for high rollers and opulent functions.

As the criticism mounted quickly, Trump pushed back, reminding the press that he is simply part of the “proud presidential legacy” of renovating this important place of work and residence. And it is true that this is not the first time that the White House has undergone renovations. The most interesting contrast is with President Harry Truman’s renovation. While Truman’s remodeling also received a lot of criticism and partisan attacks—as with Trump’s—the process was much different. Examining that case reveals the significance, and danger, of what is happening today.

U.S. President Donald Trump has angered many Americans who have watched videos of the demolition of the East Wing of the White House. The stunning visual of the torn-down building symbolizes to many how Trump views the presidency. This highest honor has become, in his hands, a tool for pursuing his own goals without concern for tradition, precedent, and history. Despite all the memories of receptions and meetings that filled the air of those hallowed halls, Trump has torn the wing down to the bones so that he can build a ballroom for high rollers and opulent functions.

As the criticism mounted quickly, Trump pushed back, reminding the press that he is simply part of the “proud presidential legacy” of renovating this important place of work and residence. And it is true that this is not the first time that the White House has undergone renovations. The most interesting contrast is with President Harry Truman’s renovation. While Truman’s remodeling also received a lot of criticism and partisan attacks—as with Trump’s—the process was much different. Examining that case reveals the significance, and danger, of what is happening today.

White House renovations have taken place for centuries. After the British burned down the original White House during the War of 1812, a new building had to be almost entirely reconstructed from the bottom up, completed in 1817. In 1881, President Chester Arthur added Tiffany windows for a dash of decorative flair to his surroundings, while in 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt authorized an expansion, including the creation of the West Wing. The Roosevelts also undertook substantial refurbishing on the inside to bring the White House into the modern stylistic era.

The now-former East Wing was erected in 1942, when Franklin Roosevelt was president. The main goal of the addition was to conceal an underground bunker that would be used to protect the president and his family in times of emergency, though the space soon became an area that was used by the first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and visitors for entertaining. Roosevelt also installed an indoor swimming pool as part of his........

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