Trump fast-tracks White House helipad construction, bypasses review process

US President Donald Trump has moved swiftly to build a permanent helipad on the White House South Lawn, bypassing the approval processes that have typically accompanied major changes to the presidential residence.

The project, which Trump said is designed to accommodate a new generation of presidential helicopters, has proceeded without seeking clearance from Congress or review bodies such as the Commission of Fine Arts, according to a report by the New York Times.

The White House defended the move, saying operational upgrades to the grounds do not require commission approval. A White House spokesperson said that projects like the helipad installation fall outside the scope of such reviews.

The new landing pad, made of black granite, will measure about 100 feet in diameter and feature the presidential seal. Construction began last month after a temporary stadium erected for a June 14 Ultimate Fighting Championship event caused significant damage to the South Lawn. Although UFC President Dana White had earmarked USD 700,000 to restore the lawn, Trump instead opted to proceed with a long-planned permanent helipad.

BUILT FOR NEXT-GEN MARINE ONE CHOPPERS

According to Trump, the helipad is necessary because the latest Sikorsky VH-92A helicopters, which are replacing the aging Marine One fleet, generate significantly more power than their predecessors and can severely damage the grass while landing.

"When you land on the grass, it's not that the grass gets discoloured, it gets ripped out," Trump said, adding that the new aircraft are far more powerful than the older helicopters.

The US Navy launched the replacement programme in 2010 for the VH-3D and VH-60N helicopters that have served the President and Vice President for more than four decades. It eventually acquired 23 VH-92A helicopters, including two test aircraft, at an estimated cost of about USD 5 billion, or roughly USD 215 million per aircraft, according to the Government Accountability Office.

Manufactured by Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, the helicopters entered the presidential fleet between 2014 and 2021 and underwent years of testing. During a 2018 training exercise, officials found that the aircraft's engine exhaust could scorch the ground while landing.

Joe Biden became the first US President to fly aboard a VH-92A in August 2024 while travelling to the Democratic Convention in Chicago. However, the aircraft has not yet been used to transport a President to and from the White House South Lawn.

For decades, Marine One landed directly on the South Lawn using portable aluminium pads beneath its wheels to minimise damage.

LOCKHEED MARTIN FUNDING PROJECT

Trump estimated the helipad would cost between USD 5 million and UDF 6 million, NYT reported. The project is being financed by Lockheed Martin, the defence contractor that owns Sikorsky.

"They didn't tell us how powerful these helicopters were, and they felt a little bit guilty," Trump said.

In a statement, Lockheed Martin said the contribution was made to the Park Service and noted that the company has a long history of supporting projects in the Washington area and elsewhere in the United States. It added that its work with the federal government complies with applicable ethics standards, laws and regulations.

NO REVIEW UNLIKE MAR-A-LAGO PROPOSAL

Trump's White House project stands in contrast to his efforts to build another helipad at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, where the proposal has faced extensive local scrutiny.

Because Mar-a-Lago is designated as a historic property, any modifications require approval from the Palm Beach Landmarks Preservation Commission. The proposal has also gone through public hearings, legal reviews and Town Council votes.

Town attorney Joanne O'Connor said the helipad previously installed during Trump's first term was dismantled after he left office. While Palm Beach has approved construction of a new helipad, it has imposed strict limits on its use once Trump's presidency ends. Helicopter operations after that point would require Secret Service approval and would be limited to emergencies, preventing routine use such as trips for golf outings.

"The concern was balancing the health, safety and welfare of the president with the interests of the town residents and the quiet enjoyment of their residential property," O'Connor said.

Trump has frequently remarked on how difficult it is to obtain permission for private helipads.

"I always was lucky, I always got helipads. Other people don't. Very hard to get. The hardest thing to get is a helipad," he said recently from the Oval Office.

CHANGES PLANNED FOR SOUTH LAWN

The permanent helipad will alter part of the South Lawn, an area traditionally used for ceremonies, public events and the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.

The White House said those activities would continue without disruption.

Trump also argued that the new surface could serve multiple purposes beyond helicopter operations.

"It can be used for other things when helicopters aren't landing. You can have events there. You could have news conferences literally on it because it's the right size. By doing this, we solved the problem, and we'll be able to finally retire 45-year-old helicopters," the President said.

Previous administrations generally avoided making permanent structural changes to the South Lawn, prioritising preservation of the historic grounds. Andrew Bates, who served as a White House spokesperson during the Biden administration, said constructing a permanent helipad was never a priority during the former President's tenure.

- Ends