Trump to Ballroom Architect: “I Am the Code”

President Trump spoke to the architect tasked with designing the new White House ballroom, famously declaring, "I am the code," when the professional expressed concerns about potential fire, health, and safety violations. The architect, James McCrery II, departed from the project in October after Trump disregarded his warnings and opted for a design that the president favored.

Trump claimed that the Executive Residence, his home and workplace within the White House, is not subject to the same building codes as the rest of the White House, a stance which violates federal regulations. Federal agencies are obligated to adhere to federal standards unless it jeopardizes "national security," as reported by the Washington Post and supported by various pieces of congressional legislation.

The architect's resignation came after he repeatedly cautioned Trump that the proposed designs for the ballroom violated fire and safety codes. Trump's insistence on his preferred design, Trump's reported disregard for building codes, and the costly nature of other construction projects undertaken by the president have become a pattern of ego-driven beautification initiatives that have resulted in taxpayer-funded expenditures surpassing millions of dollars.

These projects often suffer from delays, subpar workmanship, or ultimately fail to meet the promises made by the president. The ballroom project, which has faced scrutiny due to a federal appeals court ruling and Trump's seemingly unyielding disregard for health and safety, may become a notorious example of such mismanagement.