Trump fires remaining members of the Commission of Fine Arts
On Tuesday, US president Donald Trump fired the six remaining members of independent federal agency the Commission of Fine Arts, a group of architects and urban planners meant to review projects such as the planned triumphal arch.
Those who were fired were architects Bruce Redman Becker, Peter D Cook, William J Lenihan, landscape architect Lisa E Delplace, and urban planners Justin Garrett Moore and Hazel Ruth Edward, who served as vice chair. The group was fired "immediately" via an email from the Trump administration.
"On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as a member of the Commission of Fine Arts is terminated, effective immediately," read the email, according to The Washington Post, which first reported the story.
The firings follow the departure of the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) chair, architect Billi Tsien, who resigned earlier this year in anticipation of being let go by Trump, according to the Post.
Traditionally, presidents have not removed members of the commission, but former president Joe Biden asked four appointees from Trump's first term to resign in 2021.
Ballroom and triumphal arch not yet reviewed
Established in 1910, the CFA reviews "matters of design and aesthetics" within the Washington DC area, including "memorials, coins, medals, and new or renovated government buildings", as well as some privately owned properties, according to its website.
The CFA does not have approval power over projects, but was formed as an advisory board to oversee the overall development of Washington DC and the White House.
It has reviewed projects such as the Arlington National Cemetery, Maya Lin's Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Pentagon.
According to The Washington Post, it was unclear if Trump's plans for the ballroom and triumphal arch were set to be reviewed by the CFA, although a White House official said "all necessary agencies and entities who need to review the project" were in the process of being consulted.
In an email to NPR on Tuesday, Bruce Redman Becker said neither project had been submitted for review.
However, the White House has said that it will submit the plans to the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), another federal body, which reviews construction projects at the White House, though it has no direct power over White House construction.
Trump also fired three NCPC commissioners in a similar sudden manner over email earlier this year, and replaced them with personal supporters such as staff secretary and former attorney William O Scharf.
As of now, replacements for the CFA positions have not been announced; however, its website reads that it is "closed", "due to a lapse in federal appropriation".
Dezeen recently broke down everything you need to know about Trump's White House plans.
The post Trump fires remaining members of the Commission of Fine Arts appeared first on Dezeen.
