Workers use a jackhammer on the White House helipad Wednesday. Workers use a jackhammer on the helipad on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in Washington. Construction began on the White House helipad in June without much fanfare or prior announcement—unlike Trump’s other Washington, D.C., beautification projects, which he has often talked up. A White House spokesperson told the Times “operational upgrades to the White House grounds, such as the helipad installation, do not require commission reviews,” though past presidents have sought approval for changes to the White House grounds. further readingTrump orders changes to new helipad after weeks of around-the-clock work (Washington Post)