President Donald Trump has directed construction crews to disassemble weeks of work on a new landing pad on the White House South Lawn, expressing dissatisfaction with its appearance and concerns over the slope of the grounds.
According to reporting by The Washington Post, contractors began taking apart the 100-foot-wide carved granite presidential seal after President Trump requested that the landing surface sit level with the horizon. Sources familiar with the project say crews are now evaluating whether the lawn itself must be regraded to achieve a completely flat structure before rebuilding can proceed.
Construction on the project began in June to solve an ongoing operational issue with Marine One. The White House reported that exhaust fumes from the military's newer VH-92A Patriot presidential helicopters had repeatedly burned and damaged the grass on the South Lawn. Defense contractor Lockheed Martin, parent company of helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky, agreed to fund the estimated $5 million to $6 million project.
Contractors have been working around the clock in an effort to finish the landing pad ahead of an upcoming state visit in late September, according to project records.
White House officials confirmed that the helipad is intended to ensure safe landings for Marine One while protecting the grounds, though it remains unclear how much the disassembling process and prospective landscape adjustments will add to the overall timeline or budget.
No injuries or security compromises have been reported in connection with the construction area, and Marine One operations are temporarily utilizing the Ellipse just south of the White House grounds.
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