The federal government wants to paint the Eisenhower Executive Office Building white, and the public now has a chance to tell them no.
On October 16, the Office of Administration released an Environmental Assessment (“EA”) for the project and opened a 30-day public comment period. For the first time, the government admits that painting the building would adversely affect at least three nationally significant historic resources, including the EEOB.
The EA also documents a better option: a cleaning-and-lighting alternative, which would not involve any paint and would improve the building’s appearance with no adverse effect on the EEOB or other historic properties. The government is pushing ahead with painting as the preferred alternative because President Trump wants the EEOB to match the White House.
Here’s what’s at stake:
- Permanent damage. The EA says reversibility is uncertain and that some surface changes would remain even after removal attempts. Test results have not been shared with the public.
- Endless upkeep. Painting would require scaffolding around the whole building every year for ongoing maintenance, and the EA is intentionally silent on the total costs involved in the project and in the required annual maintenance.
Read our recent post about the EA, as well as the most recent Joint Status Report in Cultural Heritage Partners, PLLC et. al. v. Trump et. al.
Submit a comment by November 16, 2026. Tell the Office of Administration you oppose the painting proposal, that you support the cleaning-and-lighting alternative, and that you object to the Office of Administration leading the project. The full EA is available here.
Reference docket number OA-2026-0001 and submit either:
- Online: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OA-2026-0001
- Email: FedRegComments@oa.eop.gov (put OA-2026-0001 in the subject line)
Every comment becomes part of the official record. Make yours count.