White House Dismisses U.S. Commission of Fine Arts Members: Impact on Design Projects
The White House has recently dismissed six members of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, an independent federal agency that provides advice on design plans for various projects. The commission, consisting of experts in architecture, art, urban, and landscape design, has been reviewing plans for significant projects since its establishment in 1910.
The terminated commissioners include Bruce Redman Becker, Peter D. Cook, Lisa E. Delplace, William J. Lenihan, Justin Garrett Moore, and vice chair Hazel Ruth Edwards. The chair position, previously held by Billie Tsien, is now vacant. The decision to terminate the six commissioners was confirmed by Lenihan in an email to NPR, stating that the termination was effective immediately.
The commissioners were expected to provide advice on President Trump's proposed White House ballroom and a monument resembling the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, intended to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. However, neither project had been submitted for review at the time of their dismissal, as mentioned by architect Bruce Redman Becker in an email to NPR.
President Trump has yet to announce the new appointees to the commission. During his previous term, Justin Shubow, the founder of the National Civic Art Society, served as chair, and James McCrery, the architect of the White House ballroom, was a commissioner. In 2021, President Biden removed four commissioners appointed by Trump, including Shubow, who shares Trump's preference for traditional and classical architecture.
The White House has not provided a response to NPR's request for comment regarding the recent dismissals and the future composition of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts.