The Trump Administration is proposing fencing around Lafayette Square and other areas surrounding the White House, citing safety concerns.
WASHINGTON — Visitors hoping to get a closer look at the White House expressed disappointment Friday as security fencing surrounding Lafayette Square continued to restrict public access, while the Trump administration considers making some of the security measures permanent.
The fencing currently in place is largely due to heightened security measures and ongoing renovations at the White House. A proposal scheduled for review next week would add permanent features, including what the administration describes as “discreet fencing, monitoring systems and alarms” to enhance long-term safety.
Ten-year-old James Gardner, visiting the White House for the first time, said he was disappointed he could not get closer.
“This is my first time visiting and I wanted to be able to actually get close to it, but now we can’t,” Gardner said. “It’s gonna be sad that we can’t visit this.”
Many visitors gathered along the fencing surrounding Lafayette Square, using selfie sticks and holding up their phones to capture photos from a distance.
James’ father, Matt Gardner, said the barriers diminish the experience.
“It upsets me,” he said. “We’re getting further and further away from being able to see what’s going on.”
Visitors Toni and Henry Clay Hawkins Jr. of Houston said they noticed a stark difference from a previous trip during the Obama administration, when they were able to get much closer to the White House grounds.
“We were asked, ‘Are you here to visit the Obamas?’ We were like, ‘No, but could we?'” Toni recalled. “That’s how close we were able to get. You could see the White House, you could see everything.”
Toni Hawkins said the increased barriers change the character of a landmark often referred to as “the people’s house.”
“This is a whole different time,” she said. “It takes away the ambiance of this being the people’s house.”
The proposed security upgrades are expected to be presented on Thursday before the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. According to the proposal, the additions would include permanent security features designed to improve long-term safety around the White House complex.
Meanwhile, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton has introduced legislation that would prohibit additional fencing around the White House. In a statement, Norton said new barriers would send “the wrong message to the nation and the world” and argued that “public property should be open to the public.”
For some visitors, the debate is about more than security.
“This is my children’s house, this is our children’s house,” Matt Gardner said.
Henry Clay Hawkins Jr. added, “This breaks my heart. It really does.”