White House says helipad needed to protect South Lawn from Marine One exhaust
The White House did not explain why the seal was removed. The AP identified the change through photographs captured at the construction site on Wednesday, which showed workers using jackhammers on the helipad.
The helipad project is part of a broader renovation effort at the White House under the Trump administration. Trump has said the new helicopters in the Marine One fleet produce exhaust so powerful they damage the South Lawn grass, making a dedicated landing surface necessary.
“For years, the White House has desperately needed a proper helipad on White House grounds that will allow the president to land safely and also protect the beautiful South Lawn grass from the fierce exhaust fumes of the incredible Marine One,” Ingle said in a statement Wednesday.
“Thanks to President Trump, the White House has never looked better, and it will only continue to get better under his leadership,” Ingle added.
The White House said in a general statement that it is “continuing to make improvements as part of efforts to best match the needs of the building and its grounds.”