Jonathan Edwards

“The stark images of the East Wing demolished in mere days were disturbing to Americans who cherish preservation of our nation’s history,” wrote Rep. Mike Turner, co-chair of the congressional Historic Preservation Caucus and one of the longest-serving members of Congress.

Exclusive: As GOP leaders rushed to defend Trump's decision to tear down the East Wing, one Republican lawmaker privately warned a senior White House aide of his “substantial concerns” and demanded answers about how the decision was made. w @ddiamond washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/…

@ddiamond @realDonaldTrump takes a victory lap after a review panel approved his pet project: a $400 million White House ballroom.

A federal arts commission — packed with Trump allies, including his 26-year-old executive assistant — voted this morning to approve the president's planned White House ballroom building. w @ddiamond washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/…

Trump picks his 26-year-old receptionist for a federal commission set to vote on his planned White House ballroom. The White House says she's qualified. Past commissioners say Trump is flouting Congress's intent for panel. w @ddiamond washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/…

A federal judge, Democrats and watchdogs are increasingly focusing on one question with the White House ballroom: whether Trump's plan to raise $400M in private donations is legal. with @jonathanreports and Aaron Schaffer washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/…

President Trump is digging in on ambitious plans for the White House ballroom project despite concerns from a federal judge, members of two review panels and historic preservationists that it will be too big and spoil the historic property. w @ddiamond wapo.st/4r8ZK1S

A federal judge is weighing whether to halt project. Judge Richard Leon said he won't rule on that issue in the next week but might in February.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, the organization that sued the administration over the ballroom project, has argued that Trump's assertion on Sunday is correct: the work being done essentially locks in key aspects of the project, including its size. w @ddiamond

Trump today declared it's "TOO LATE!" to stop White House ballroom construction. DOJ lawyers have been arguing something different: the ongoing, months-long work could be changed as the administration waits for approval from two oversight committees. wapo.st/4sUXMUt

President Trump’s handpicked arts commissioners met this morning to discuss his planned White House ballroom. The committee's new chair raised concerns about the building's size and design but indicated he supports the controversial project. w/@ddiamond washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/…

A D.C. teacher stars in the new season of "Queer Eye." Michael Devereaux, a high school history teacher, insisted his participation in the Netflix makeover show help others at Digital Pioneers Academy. The result: a new teachers' lounge. wapo.st/49OrUbk

President Donald Trump has installed four allies on a federal commission set to review his White House ballroom plan, including its former chief architect — his latest move to secure rapid approval for the controversial project. w @ddiamond wapo.st/4qrxZBC

D.C. may rename school that honors city’s first mayor, a proponent of slavery. Students, teachers and parents say the city should rename Brent Elementary School in Capitol Hill to honor Gardner Bishop, a parent and Black civil rights activist. wapo.st/4aX1jLn

Never-before-seen images offer closer look at demolition of the East Wing and site work for the White House ballroom. wapo.st/49yVT83

"Teachers at Cardozo said temperatures in their classrooms have fallen to as low as the mid-40s in recent days, making it hard for them and their students to focus on learning." @jonathanreports with important coverage of DC schools amid cold snap. washingtonpost.com/education/2025…

Another update from Abdou:

I just got a text from Paul Abdou, the math teacher featured in this story: "Thank you for the article. I’ve had a visit from some engineers this morning. Your work can be a force for good." washingtonpost.com/education/2025…

Newly released court documents show that President Donald Trump kept secret for at least two months his plans to destroy the East Wing to make way for his White House ballroom w/ @ddiamond wapo.st/44uPg3P

The latest White House ballroom news from @ddiamond and me