President Donald Trump’s decision to install two towering flagpoles on the White House grounds is drawing scrutiny — not just for its aesthetics, but for potential safety risks.
On Wednesday, Trump unveiled the two new flagpoles, each standing over 30 meters (100 feet) tall, one on the North Lawn and one on the South Lawn. But former White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney has raised concerns that the structures may interfere with Marine One helicopter landings.
“I see a problem with where they’re supposed to land the helicopter — this is right on the South Lawn, and I’m not really sure how that works now,” Mulvaney told NewsNation. “As the chief of staff overseeing military operations at the White House, I’d want to know where the president can safely land without adding risk. I don’t have that answer yet.”
Why It Matters
The flagpoles mark one of the most visible changes Trump has made to the White House since returning to office. Alongside the poles, work crews have started paving over parts of the Rose Garden, and plans are underway for a new presidential ballroom — a significant shift in the traditional layout of the historic grounds.
Trump’s Ceremony and Comments
During the flagpole installation ceremony, Trump made headlines for asking the construction crew if any of them were “illegal migrants” and joking that he hoped they had voted for him.
He called the poles “the best anywhere in the country or in the world” and said the project cost “like $50,000,” which he described as a personal gift to the White House.
When asked what inspired the idea, Trump said, “I’ve had it for a long time. In the first term I had it, but, you know, you guys were after me. I had to focus. I was the hunted. Now I’m the hunter. There’s a big difference.”
What People Are Saying
On Truth Social, Trump proudly announced the addition:
“It is my Great Honor to announce that I will be putting up two beautiful Flag Poles on both sides of the White House, North and South Lawns. It is a GIFT from me of something which was always missing from this magnificent place.
These are the most magnificent poles made – They are tall, tapered, rust proof, rope inside the pole, and of the highest quality.”
What’s Next
The flagpoles appear to be just the beginning. Trump has publicly stated he intends to build a new ballroom on the White House grounds — a plan that would further reshape one of the most iconic buildings in America.
