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9,000 pages of comments slam Trump White House ballroom plan

A 30-year member of the capital's planning commission has never seen such an outcry over a project.

News

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Capital Planning Commission" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/07/11/trump-deputies-take-over-powerful-dc-planning-commission" data-vars-content-id="43c869a1-f9b7-4267-85ec-fc7b551089b7" data-vars-headline="9,000 pages of comments slam Trump White House ballroom plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/07/11/trump-deputies-take-over-powerful-dc-planning-commission" target="_self">National Capital Planning Commission</a> has released over 9,000 pages of public comments denouncing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s ballroom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/08/white-house-east-wing-expansion-ballroom-design-plans" data-vars-content-id="43c869a1-f9b7-4267-85ec-fc7b551089b7" data-vars-headline="9,000 pages of comments slam Trump White House ballroom plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/08/white-house-east-wing-expansion-ballroom-design-plans" target="_self">President Trump&#x27;s ballroom</a> project, ahead of a meeting on Thursday when the public is expected to again sound off. Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East Wing&#x27;s demolition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/21/trump-white-house-east-wing-renovation-backlash" data-vars-content-id="43c869a1-f9b7-4267-85ec-fc7b551089b7" data-vars-headline="9,000 pages of comments slam Trump White House ballroom plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/21/trump-white-house-east-wing-renovation-backlash" target="_self">East Wing&#x27;s demolition</a> roiled D.C. and raised existential questions about the future of the White House, in the face of Trump&#x27;s relentless drive to leave his imprint on Washington.

Your D.C. Weekend: New museum exhibits you don't want to miss

Go see Nick Cave at the Smithsonian and these other shows.

Things to Do

It&#x27;s a great weekend to explore D.C.&#x27;s newest museum exhibits — from powerhouse female artists to mammoth-scale installations and American masters.Three newcomers you won&#x27;t want to miss:

Union Station wants a lighting makeover for its facade

Officials say the looksmaxxing would also boost public safety.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Union Station" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/12/02/union-station-project-amtrak-moynihan-train-hall" data-vars-content-id="ca68d975-5a06-4223-9e8b-ff37d009fa46" data-vars-headline="Union Station wants a lighting makeover for its facade" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/12/02/union-station-project-amtrak-moynihan-train-hall" target="_self">Union Station</a> wants a literal glow-up — nighttime lights outside, brighter bulbs inside.The big picture: The train station&#x27;s CEO has wanted to work with the Trump administration on realizing its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="longterm modernization project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/14/union-station-renovation-progress-update" data-vars-content-id="ca68d975-5a06-4223-9e8b-ff37d009fa46" data-vars-headline="Union Station wants a lighting makeover for its facade" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/14/union-station-renovation-progress-update" target="_self">longterm modernization project</a>, and a flashier entrance for D.C.&#x27;s front door might appeal to the president&#x27;s sensibilities.

Scoop: Waymo steps up lobbying after D.C. delays robotaxis

City Hall says not so fast, awaiting a delayed safety study.

D.C.&#x27;s robotaxi rollout has slowed to a crawl, so Waymo has been dropping big bucks on a D.C. lobbying blitz.The big picture: Waymo is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tapping $16 billion in fresh capital" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/24/waymo-robotaxis-now-available-in-10-cities" data-vars-content-id="10b7e4d2-fb75-4fc6-af28-ea3c63692e3b" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Waymo steps up lobbying after D.C. delays robotaxis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/24/waymo-robotaxis-now-available-in-10-cities" target="_self">tapping $16 billion in fresh capital</a> to accelerate its national expansion. But not so fast in D.C., where council members are deferring approval until a long-awaited study gets done.

D.C. children's shop owner advocates for tariff exemption

As President Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tariffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/04/08/small-businesses-worry-about-trumps-tariffs" data-vars-content-id="c4e69e22-7dd3-4bdc-b547-dfe43780f2e7" data-vars-headline="D.C. children&#x27;s shop owner advocates for tariff exemption" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/04/08/small-businesses-worry-about-trumps-tariffs" target="_self">tariffs</a> on Chinese products cause prices to skyrocket on essential baby gear, the owner of a D.C.-based children&#x27;s shop is trying to advocate for change.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump administration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/26/tariffs-baby-product-prices" data-vars-content-id="c4e69e22-7dd3-4bdc-b547-dfe43780f2e7" data-vars-headline="D.C. children&#x27;s shop owner advocates for tariff exemption" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/26/tariffs-baby-product-prices" target="_self">Trump administration</a> is pushing for families to have more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="children" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/22/trump-women-children-natalist-movement" data-vars-content-id="c4e69e22-7dd3-4bdc-b547-dfe43780f2e7" data-vars-headline="D.C. children&#x27;s shop owner advocates for tariff exemption" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/22/trump-women-children-natalist-movement" target="_self">children</a>, but the whiplash tariffs are making it harder for families to afford products integral to safely raising kids, such as strollers and car seats.

This new Del Ray coworking spot is also a kids' play place and cafe

Mulberry Lane also covers date nights for parents, too.

There&#x27;s a new spot in Alexandria&#x27;s Del Ray neighborhood that&#x27;s a coworking space, kids&#x27; play place and cafe all in one.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a win-win: Washingtonians with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="children" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/03/18/child-care-benefits-businesses" data-vars-content-id="ce9fc38e-f2c7-4dcf-bc45-e47ac290bba7" data-vars-headline="This new Del Ray coworking spot is also a kids&#x27; play place and cafe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/03/18/child-care-benefits-businesses" target="_self">children</a> ages 1 to 6 can find much-needed time for themselves while the kids are entertained, managing partner Stella Borou tells Axios.

Taylor Swift tribute artist is the new must-book act on D.C.'s birthday-party circuit

And yes, she's already booking into 2025.

Culture

There&#x27;s a new way to make your kid&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildest dreams" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdneKLhsWOQ" data-vars-content-id="374de051-8599-4931-876b-67e43b172ef3" data-vars-headline="Taylor Swift tribute artist is the new must-book act on D.C.&#x27;s birthday-party circuit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdneKLhsWOQ" target="_blank">wildest dreams</a> come true on their birthday: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Taylor Swift" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/17/taylor-swift-eras-tour-europe-trips-dc" data-vars-content-id="374de051-8599-4931-876b-67e43b172ef3" data-vars-headline="Taylor Swift tribute artist is the new must-book act on D.C.&#x27;s birthday-party circuit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/17/taylor-swift-eras-tour-europe-trips-dc" target="_self">Taylor Swift</a> tribute artist.Who: Amanda Browning-Bloyd founded the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fantastical Character Company" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thefantasticalcharactercompany.com/" data-vars-content-id="374de051-8599-4931-876b-67e43b172ef3" data-vars-headline="Taylor Swift tribute artist is the new must-book act on D.C.&#x27;s birthday-party circuit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thefantasticalcharactercompany.com/" target="_blank">Fantastical Character Company</a> in 2019. She was busy playing Elsa, Belle and other princess-y types around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Washington&#x27;s next-level birthday-entertainment scene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonian.com/2022/03/16/inside-the-extra-pricey-extra-fabulous-birthday-bashes-that-guilt-ridden-dc-area-parents-are-throwing-for-their-kids/" data-vars-content-id="374de051-8599-4931-876b-67e43b172ef3" data-vars-headline="Taylor Swift tribute artist is the new must-book act on D.C.&#x27;s birthday-party circuit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonian.com/2022/03/16/inside-the-extra-pricey-extra-fabulous-birthday-bashes-that-guilt-ridden-dc-area-parents-are-throwing-for-their-kids/" target="_blank">Washington&#x27;s next-level birthday-entertainment scene</a>.

Paid family leave grows in DMV, but not guaranteed

Parenting

Access to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="paid family leave" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/24/paid-family-maternity-leave-checklist" data-vars-content-id="00410d02-b0c5-46a6-bf73-a7f46284f9c2" data-vars-headline="Paid family leave grows in DMV, but not guaranteed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/24/paid-family-maternity-leave-checklist" target="_self">paid family leave</a> is expanding in the DMV, but the benefit isn&#x27;t guaranteed for all.Why it matters: Paid leave policies give new parents time to recover from birth and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bond" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/26/paternity-parental-leave-us-policy-research" data-vars-content-id="00410d02-b0c5-46a6-bf73-a7f46284f9c2" data-vars-headline="Paid family leave grows in DMV, but not guaranteed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/26/paternity-parental-leave-us-policy-research" target="_self">bond</a> with their babies, while reducing financial stress on growing families.

D.C.-area employers offering child care benefits amid nationwide crisis

Some are offering on-site day care and child care subsidies.

Some D.C.-area employers are offering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="child care benefits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/10/employers-child-care-benefits" data-vars-content-id="3f2c0758-0e81-461b-a469-0600b19b145d" data-vars-headline="D.C.-area employers offering child care benefits amid nationwide crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/10/employers-child-care-benefits" target="_self">child care benefits</a> to boost employee retention and productivity amid a countrywide crisis.Why it matters: The District has a severe lack of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="affordable and accessible child care" data-vars-click-url="https://under3dc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Child-Care-Economic-Impact-Report-U3DC-2024.pdf" data-vars-content-id="3f2c0758-0e81-461b-a469-0600b19b145d" data-vars-headline="D.C.-area employers offering child care benefits amid nationwide crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://under3dc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Child-Care-Economic-Impact-Report-U3DC-2024.pdf" target="_blank">affordable and accessible child care</a>, causing many parents to shell out chunks of their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="paychecks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/06/22/child-care-washington-dc-costs" data-vars-content-id="3f2c0758-0e81-461b-a469-0600b19b145d" data-vars-headline="D.C.-area employers offering child care benefits amid nationwide crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/06/22/child-care-washington-dc-costs" target="_self">paychecks</a>.