FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2025
ASBESTOS DISEASE AWARENESS ORGANIZATION ECHOES CALLS BY THE NATIONAL HISTORIC TRUST FOR TRANSPARENCY AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE IN THE ONGOING CONSTRUCTION AT THE WHITE HOUSE
The following statement is from Linda Reinstein, President and Co-Founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), in support of the lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Congress’ designated nonprofit charged with preserving historic sites: 
“The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) supports the legal action brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, seeking to halt construction of the proposed White House ballroom until required federal reviews are completed and a public comment process is in place.
ADAO raised concerns about the risk of asbestos releases during the demolition of the East Wing. There has been no response to ADAO’s letter to the White House on October 23 seeking additional information about the presence and removal of asbestos during the demolition. Despite the White House’s assertions to the media that asbestos abatement was conducted in compliance with all federal and state laws, repeated requests for documentation of that have been ignored. This includes ADAO’s multiple FOIA requests seeking asbestos inspection reports, abatement plans, and air-monitoring data, as required by law, which also remain unanswered.
The National Trust lawsuit represents a laudable effort to enforce the review processes Congress established to protect the integrity of the nation’s most precious historic sites, including environmental review, interagency oversight, and public accountability. No administration should be exempt from those requirements.
The National Trust is seeking a Temporary Restraining Order to halt construction at the White House until required historic preservation reviews are completed, and is demanding full compliance with environmental and planning laws before work proceeds. ADAO fully supports these actions.
When the government fails to disclose mandatory compliance documentation required by federal law, public concern is not only justified but entirely appropriate.
Federal law also requires extensive safeguards to protect public health during demolitions of older structures that contain hazardous asbestos. For the White House to cut corners on these safeguards and fail to transparently document its compliance undermines the integrity of our laws and puts workers, visitors, and the public at risk.
The White House should set the national standard for a lawful process and transparency. When an Administration bypasses or withholds required reviews, they erode public trust and weaken protections designed to safeguard the American people and public resources.
“Prevention only works when it is practiced, not promised. Democracy does not only die in darkness. Sometimes, it is buried in dust.”
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