Donald Trump's first ballroom architect left the project after warning that design demands created safety hazards.
Posted by The Briefing with Jen Psaki, Checked
- Sources
- 1 contradict5 support3 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 65%
The Briefing with Jen PsakiSep 24, 2026
The Washington Post reported that James McCrery II, the first ballroom architect, left the project after repeatedly warning that Trump's designs lacked adequate emergency exits and fire containment, and the other outlets trace back to that reporting.
What was said
… There's even a note indicating a preference for how the doors should open, and this messy scroll expanding the overall size of the ballroom. There you go. So these early ballroom sketches and designs were drawn up by Trump's first ballroom architect. According to The Post, he left the project after repeatedly warning that Trump's design demands were creating safety hazards, like, say, not providing adequate emergency exit routes or fire containment measures. The White House, of course, denies this was why he left, but Trump reportedly brushed off his architect's concerns about the future ballroom's compliance with building safety codes, claiming, quote, "I am the code." …
The Briefing with Jen Psaki · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Supports. The Washington Post reported, citing two people with knowledge and corroborating documents, that McCrery withdrew or resigned after repeatedly warning that the preliminary design lacked adequate emergency exit routes or fire-containment measures.[2][4]
Supports. Trump reportedly responded to the warnings by saying 'I am the code' and that building codes did not apply to White House construction.[3][4][5]
Supports. An AP report confirms McCrery led the ballroom project until Trump replaced him in late 2025, and the timing of his departure is consistent with the Post account.[1]
Contradicts. The White House told PEOPLE that the premise that McCrery's departure was associated with code issues is factually false, and says life-safety issues have been resolved; this is a party denial rather than an independent finding.[6]
Context. Most coverage of the Post report repeats the same anonymously sourced account, so the support rests largely on a single outlet's reporting rather than independent confirmation.[3][5][7][8][9]
Sources
9 sources: 1 fact-checker, 3 tier 2, 5 not rated
- 1Trump quietly appoints 4 members to commission that will review his White House ballroom planapnews.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports
- 2‘I am the code’: Trump clashed with ballroom architect over safety issueswashingtonpost.com · tier 2 · cited for: supports
- 3Ballroom Architect Quit After Trump Brushed Off Warnings It Could Be A Death Trap: Reporthuffpost.com · tier 2 · cited for: supports, context
- 4‘I am the code': Trump clashed with ballroom architect over safety issuesseattletimes.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 5Trump's first ballroom architect quit over safety fearstherealdeal.com · not rated · cited for: supports, context
- 6Architect on Trump’s Ballroom Project Allegedly Left Last Year Over Construction Safety Concerns: Reportpeople.com · not rated · cited for: contradicts
- 7Trump to Ballroom Architect: “I Am the Code” - Mother Jonesmotherjones.com · tier 2 · cited for: context
- 8Trump's ballroom architect quit after president dismissed safety concern with the design: reportthe-independent.com · not rated · cited for: context
- 9Trump Fought With Ballroom Architect Over Safety Issues Until He Quityahoo.com · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
Related claims
- The Washington Post obtained early ballroom designs for a project involving Donald Trump.True
- The architect for the ballroom project quit due to health and safety standards regarding fire hazards.Mixed
- Donald Trump claimed 'I am the code' in response to an architect's concerns about building safety codes.True
- Donald Trump used funds from the Secret Service and national parks to build a ballroom.True
- The Trump administration is using taxpayer funds for construction projects in the ballroom.True