White House Upgrades North Portico Security, Eyes 8-Foot Fences Around Lafayette Park
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Jul 11
White House Upgrades North Portico Security, Eyes 8-Foot Fences Around Lafayette Park
3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Jul 11
Summary
Mid-September is the target for security upgrades at the White House North Portico, where large printed tarps now conceal work at the main entrance.
The administration has not detailed the changes, but a separate plan before the Commission of Fine Arts on July 16 proposes permanent 8- or 9-foot non-scalable fencing, alarms and monitoring around Lafayette Park and possibly Pennsylvania Avenue.
That proposal argues current temporary fencing and bike racks are unsustainable and says anchored barriers could help de-escalate demonstrations that turn violent.
The portico work comes alongside standard stone-column restoration and a broader Trump-era remaking of the White House that includes a South Lawn helipad and a contested ballroom project now under appeal.