The National Capital Planning Commission voted Thursday to move ahead with President Donald Trump’s plan to build a fence around Lafayette Park.
With one dissenting vote, the commission agreed to advance a proposal that would erect permanent fencing around the park, against the protest of some commissioners and members of the public who warned such a move would send the wrong message about free speech in America.
Pam Fessler, a longtime D.C resident and retired White House reporter for National Public Radio, told the commission the fence would create another barrier between Americans and their government at a time when people need to be able to gather and express themselves. She was among seven members of the public who testified before commissioners, all condemning the project.
“I have no doubt that if this plan goes through, the gates will be closed,” Fessler said, adding that the priority should be protecting the freedom to gather and speak
Laura Follansbee, attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of D.C., warned that the fence could restrict First Amendment rights as Lafayette Square has long been a gathering place for protesters because of its location next to the White House.
“People who wish to exercise First Amendment rights in the park will sensibly fear that NPS and the Secret Service, ultimately directed by the president, will have essentially unfettered discretion to close the park at will,” Follansbee said.
She said that she expects the Trump administration, and potentially future administrations, could keep the gates closed indefinitely, making it harder for the public to voice concerns on important issues.
“I don’t think the Secret Service has any intention of shutting this park when there’s peaceful protests,” National Capital Planning Commission Chairman Mark Paoletta, who was appointed by Trump on Aug. 26, said. “This idea that if there’s a fence up, we’re losing our First Amendment rights, I don’t accept.”
Officials are charged with balancing free speech rights with the security, not only of the president, but also of the tens of thousands of tourists, government workers and others who visit public areas near the White House complex.
A security assessment by the Secret Service concluded that because of several shootings that have occurred near the White House recently and assassination attempts on the president, permanent fencing was a necessary security addition. Working with other security agencies and designers, officials presented a 79-page plan for an eight-foot permanent fence with large gates at the north and south entrances.
“The Secret Service has been asking for something like this for 12 years,” Paoletta said. “I don’t want to lose the momentum. The status quo cannot continue, in my view,” he said.
Evan Cash, representing the D.C. City Council on the commission, was the only person on the commission who voted no.
“I think that the balance here is just way, way off,” he said.
Cash said he thinks having to deal with security risks and proposals is “security theater” designed to blow the concern out of proportion in an attempt to dissuade people from gathering in protest.
The commission also approved an underground White House visitor screening center, which would be a permanent facility for people entering the White House for tours and events. It is currently under development by the Secret Service and the National Park Service.
It would be built underground beneath Sherman Park, and the entrance would be near 15th and E streets, NW.
The planned 33,000-square-foot facility would replace the current above-ground screening tents.
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The commission also approved two items that affect the District directly.
The first transfers operational jurisdiction of the D.C. Armory site, located in the 1900 block of East Capitol Street SE, to the D.C. Government. The site sits within the footprint of the future $3.1 billion stadium complex that will be the new home of the Washington Commanders. That site includes commercial, residential and massive entertainment opportunities for the long-neglected neighborhood.
The transfer just affects the 9.4 acres upon which the D.C. National Guard headquarters are located. D.C. already has operational authority over the 85-year-old building, and the U.S. Government will retain ownership of the property. D.C. has the right to develop the land, similar to the deal struck last year regarding the former RFK Jr. stadium property.
In addition, the commission formalized an agreement to transfer several parcels of land along the Georgetown Waterfront to the District. That deal transfers administrative jurisdiction of property at the base of the Key Bridge to D.C. to expand public waterfront access.
Some of that property would go to Georgetown University to lease for the construction of a new community-accessible boat house for the university’s rowing teams. The District would also provide year-round access to water activities such as kayaking and paddleboarding and connect the Capital Crescent Trail with Georgetown Waterfront Park.
Panel moves ahead with another piece of President Trump’s plan to redesign DC 2026
IUSTITIA.BG – Investigations 2009-2026 2026-09-04 00:43:16
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