An architect who worked on the initial design of a $400 million White House ballroom project, led by former President Donald Trump, resigned last year after expressing concerns that the plans did not meet standard building safety requirements, according to a recent report. Trump had selected James McCrery II, a Washington, D.C.-based architect, to lead the project, which was announced in July 2025. However, McCrery left the project several months later after reportedly clashing with Trump over safety and design issues, as detailed in The Washington Post. Before leaving, McCrery raised concerns about inadequate emergency exits and fire safety measures in the ballroom's design. In one reported conversation, Trump reportedly dismissed the need for compliance with building codes, saying, “I am the code.” The newspaper obtained preliminary blueprints of the ballroom marked with notes in Trump’s signature black Sharpie. One note appeared to mock McCrery’s concerns about the size of the ballroom, stating, “James. And you think this is big enough.” Another note, written over an image of the White House’s columns, read, “James - great look - but Corinthian columns,” referencing Trump’s preference for ornate, classical-style architecture. McCrery, who was later appointed to the Commission of Fine Arts by Trump, did not provide specific reasons for his departure to The Washington Post. A White House official denied that McCrery left the project due to safety code concerns, calling the claim “factually false and totally inaccurate,” and praised him as a “valued member of the initial design team.” The project, overseen by the Executive Residence, is not required to follow standard federal building regulations. Typically, this office handles routine maintenance and interior design, not large-scale construction projects, which are usually managed by other federal agencies. McCrery left the project on October 20 last year, just as demolition of the historic East Wing began. His main concerns reportedly centered on the lack of proper fire safety measures, such as insufficient emergency exits and the risk of fire spreading quickly from the kitchen to the ballroom. There were also concerns about inadequate bathroom facilities for the number of expected guests. Despite these concerns, a White House official claimed that safety issues had been continuously addressed and resolved. McCrery said in a statement that he was “truly grateful” to have worked on the project but did not elaborate on why he stepped down, stating that a new firm was brought in for the next phase.