Satellite images reveal that construction for President Donald Trump's $300 million grand ballroom at the White House has resulted in the removal of at least six trees, including two historic magnolia trees. These trees were planted in honor of Presidents Warren G. Harding and Franklin D. Roosevelt. The images, released on Thursday, provide a detailed view of the demolition work on the East Wing and its impact on the surrounding parkland. This work was reportedly done without consulting the government commission responsible for preserving the integrity of federal buildings in Washington, D.C.

Construction activity appears to have started over three weeks ago, as indicated by satellite images taken throughout the past month. An image from September 26 shows preparations for the ballroom, including the removal of several trees in President's Park. The Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, established in 1903 by First Lady Edith Roosevelt, was also affected during the demolition.

Earlier this year, Trump had also paved over the Rose Garden, which was designed by the same architect as the Kennedy Garden. The White House announced this summer that the ballroom project would commence in September and be completed before the end of Trump's term.

Recent satellite images from Planet Labs show that the East Wing has been significantly altered, with preparations underway for the new ballroom. The removal of at least six trees surrounding the East Wing is evident. The magnolia tree commemorating Harding was originally planted in 1922 by First Lady Florence Harding and was re-designated as a commemorative tree in the 1950s. The Roosevelt tree, planted in 1942, was also designated as a commemorative tree in the mid-1950s.

The White House has not commented on the removal of these trees. Trump previously stated that the ballroom project would not interfere with the existing East Wing structure, claiming it would be built nearby without touching it. "It'll be near it, but not touching it, and pays total respect to the existing building, which I'm the biggest fan of," Trump said in July.

A White House official mentioned that Trump plans to submit the project plans to the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) for approval, although this has not yet occurred. Former NCPC members noted that plans are typically submitted and approved before any demolition begins. Trump expressed surprise at the lack of an approval process for the ballroom project, comparing it to his experiences in New York construction. "I said, 'How long will it take me?' 'Sir, you can start tonight, you have no approvals.' I said, 'You gotta be kidding,'" Trump recounted. "They said, 'Sir, this is the White House, you're the President of the United States, you can do anything you want.'"