President Donald Trump is facing bipartisan criticism after shifting from honoring U.S. service members killed in the Iran conflict to praising his planned White House ballroom during a Medal of Honor ceremony, even as the Pentagon confirmed six American troops had died in Operation "Epic Fury."
The joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign, launched on Feb. 28 without a formal declaration of war from Congress, has ignited a constitutional clash over presidential war powers. As the death toll among American ground forces stationed in Kuwait rose to six by Monday, Trump's remarks about drapes and design features of a proposed White House ballroom quickly became the dominant political flashpoint.
"See that nice drape?" Trump said during Sunday's ceremony, gesturing toward construction beyond the White House grounds. "When that comes down right now, you're gonna see a very, very deep hole, but in about a year and a half, you're gonna see a very, very beautiful building." He added, "I picked those drapes. I always liked gold. I believe it will be the most beautiful ballroom anywhere in the world."
The comments drew immediate reaction. Susan Glasser of The New Yorker described the episode as "one of the most politically tone deaf things I've ever seen from a POTUS." Journalist John Harwood wrote that Trump was "demonstrat[ing] his mental disfigurement by bragging about his ballroom and chuckling immediately after claiming that 'we grieve' for four US soldiers killed in the war he just initiated," adding, "Trump does not possess empathy and does not grieve for any other person's misfortune."
The legal foundation of the Iran operation remains contested. Sen. Tim Kaine (D., Va.), sponsor of a Senate War Powers Resolution, said on Fox News Sunday: "This is an illegal war. The Constitution says no declaration of war without Congress. The president not only did not come to Congress to seek a debate or vote, he acted without even notification to the vast majority of us."
Republican lawmakers including Reps. Pat Harrigan (N.C.) and Mike Lawler (N.Y.) argued that the War Powers Resolution allows the president to act for up to 60 days without prior congressional authorization. Kaine rejected that interpretation, maintaining that statutory language cannot override constitutional requirements.
Trump addressed the casualties in a Sunday phone interview with NBC News, stating: "We expect casualties with something like this. We have three, but we expect casualties, but in the end it's going to be a great deal for the world." U.S. Central Command later confirmed six service members had been killed.
The broader human toll remains under review. Iran's Red Crescent Society reported roughly 555 Iranian deaths in an initial tally. Iranian officials alleged more than 168 schoolgirls were killed in a strike on a girls' elementary school-an allegation Israel denied. CENTCOM told NPR it was "looking into" reports of civilian harm.
Simultaneously, the White House ballroom project referenced by Trump has faced scrutiny of its own. Initially announced at £155 million ($200 million), the 90,000-square-foot structure's projected cost has risen to £310 million ($400 million), according to administration estimates.
Key details surrounding the project include:
- Demolition of the East Wing beginning Oct. 20, 2025.
- A reported four-day razing process.
- Questions from The Washington Post regarding review by the National Capital Planning Commission.
The administration has cited a 1964 executive order as authority for proceeding, though it later acknowledged the Commission would "be a part of that process at the appropriate time."
