White House pressure on ballroom review may 'short circuit' crucial step: expert

Pressure on a review of the White House ballroom blueprints could "short circuit" the whole process, an expert has warned.

A "refinement" process has been established for the ballroom, and while it's a "foregone conclusion" that the plan will be approved, pressure from Donald Trump's administration is still present. Phil Mendelson, chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia and an ex-officio member of the commission, suggested the ballroom project will be fast-tracked and will falter as a result.