Senator Whitehouse alleges rushed Kennedy Center renovations under Trump

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island has publicly criticized the Trump administration for a series of construction and renovation failures at federal buildings, citing rusting columns, uneven paint jobs and what he describes as unnecessary demolition work. In a statement released Thursday, Whitehouse said that the Department of the Interior’s oversight of the $1.5 billion renovation of the U.S. Capitol’s East Wing has resulted in structural and aesthetic problems that compromise the building’s integrity and safety.

Whitehouse pointed to specific examples, noting that several support columns in the East Wing have begun to corrode despite the use of supposedly “high‑grade” steel, and that large swaths of interior walls have been painted unevenly, creating visible streaks that undermine the historic appearance of the chamber. He also highlighted the demolition of a 19th‑century brick façade in the Senate gallery, arguing that the work was not necessary for the building’s function and that it removed a significant portion of the Capitol’s architectural heritage. The senator called for an independent audit of the project and for stricter enforcement of federal construction standards.

Whitehouse concluded that the Trump administration’s approach to federal building projects has “failed to protect the nation’s historic assets and to ensure the safety of the public and the lawmakers who work within them.” He urged the House and Senate to pass legislation that would strengthen oversight of federal construction, prevent future cost overruns, and preserve the integrity of the nation’s historic landmarks.