Bill Barrow, Associated Press
Plans for permanent fencing and gates around Lafayette Square, located in front of the White House, moved closer to approval on Thursday, amid significant criticism. The proposal raises concerns regarding presidential security from the Secret Service and the Trump administration, contrasting with the park's historical role as an open gathering space for public expression.
Pam Fessler, a former federal employee and retired journalist, stated to the National Capital Planning Commission, "People came there because they knew this was our country's town square, where they could come to express their feelings about the direction of our nation."
Despite the critiques, the commission accepted several versions of the proposal, setting it up for a final vote in the coming months. The panel also approved a concept for a new White House visitors security screening center on the grounds south of the Treasury Department.
The Secret Service and Trump administration argue that the fencing is necessary for security and to replace temporary barriers established during protests in 2020. However, historic preservationists and local residents argue for reopening the square instead. ACLU attorney Laura Follansbee remarked, "The proposed modifications claim that a fence will preserve day-to-day openness, but even when the gates are open, the very presence of a fence will send a message to the public that the park is only open by permission."
Fessler expressed concerns that the gates could be closed routinely during protests or gatherings, stating, "It will undoubtedly become routine to shut down the park whenever a protest or mass gathering is expected, on the grounds that it might be disruptive."
Commission Chairman Mark Paoletta, a Trump appointee, dismissed concerns about public access, asserting, "I don't think the Secret Service has any intention of shutting this park when there's peaceful protests."
The visitor screening facility proposal received less opposition, with commissioners agreeing on its necessity to streamline entry to the White House complex. This hearing marked the first time the commission reviewed both proposals. The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, which is also controlled by Trump appointees, previously approved the visitor center plans and heard a presentation on the Lafayette Square fencing without taking action.
Planning Commissioner Evan Cash expressed frustration over the renewed push for fencing, recalling a previous approval for a 13-foot security fence around the White House perimeter. Paoletta referenced security concerns, citing multiple assassination attempts against Trump, including two during the 2024 campaign and a recent incident in April.
The proposed fencing would represent a significant change to the access and appearance of Lafayette Square, which last had permanent fencing in the late 1800s. The administration's 79-page proposal for the 8-acre park includes plans for fencing around the entire area with larger gates at the north and south entrances, with options regarding the inclusion of monuments at the park's corners.
The White House Visitor Screening Facility is intended to replace temporary tents used for security, with plans for completion by July 2028. The facility's design was adjusted after consultations to move it away from utility infrastructure.
SOURCE: PBS NewsHour PUBLISHED: 2026-09-03 22:53:15