A federal commission recommended revising the Trump administration’s plan to install a permanent fence around Lafayette Square, the park located directly north of the White House, while affirming support for enhancing security measures to protect the president. The Commission of Fine Arts, which reviews the design of significant projects in Washington, D.C., expressed agreement with the administration’s security goals but raised concerns about the proposed fence’s design and layout.

Chairman Rodney Mims Cook Jr., appointed by President Trump, described the plan as an opportunity to replace the temporary barriers that have frequently been used to restrict access to Lafayette Square. However, he and other commission members suggested the permanent fencing might be simplified and less ornate than the current proposal, with some recommending that the new fence mirror the design of the existing White House perimeter fence.

The plan has faced opposition from lawmakers, historic preservation advocates, and protesters who argue that permanent fencing could hinder public access and limit the space’s traditional use for demonstrations and gatherings. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the nonvoting congressional delegate representing Washington, D.C., announced intentions to introduce legislation banning fencing at Lafayette Square, Pennsylvania Avenue, and other nearby areas.

The commission heard testimony that some elements of the proposed fence, such as sections wrapping around statues, could be unnecessarily complex. James McCrery II, a commission member and former White House architect, advised adopting a simpler approach. “Just let it be a fence,” he said, referring to the White House’s existing perimeter barrier as a suitable model.

The idea of permanently fencing Lafayette Square was reportedly discussed privately during the initial Trump administration period, particularly following the large-scale protests after George Floyd’s death in May 2020. At that time, demonstrators breached temporary fences near the White House, prompting the president to be briefly taken to a secure underground bunker. These events prompted a reassessment of security measures around the White House complex.

The White House’s executive office, the Secret Service, and the National Park Service have been jointly overseeing the fencing proposal, which also may extend to sections of Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest near 15th and 17th streets. The park, a popular site for tourists and demonstrations, has been largely closed due to renovations initiated by President Trump in celebration of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. Temporary black fences have been in place for most of the year to limit public access.

The Secret Service indicated plans to begin construction of the permanent fences next year. Officials highlighted the challenge of balancing public access and First Amendment rights with the need to enhance security. Richard Macauley, chief of the Secret Service’s Uniformed Division, noted that past demonstrations in Lafayette Square had escalated to violence, resulting in injuries to officers, and criticized temporary barriers for lacking adequate physical security.

Given concerns that removable barriers could be weaponized or bypassed, officials emphasized the importance of durable, permanent protections for the president and the public. While the administration anticipates approving a fencing plan, it has committed to considering alternative designs based on the commission’s feedback before moving forward.