President Donald Trump's renovation of the White House exterior entrance columns advanced over the weekend, drawing objections from historic preservation advocates who questioned whether federal review requirements were being followed.

The column project is the newest phase of a broader aesthetic overhaul Trump has directed at the White House during his second term. Earlier changes included gilded Oval Office fixtures, a paved Rose Garden patio, and plans for a large new ballroom on the East Wing grounds. The president has personally supervised many of the design decisions.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation and other preservation groups have raised concerns that alterations to the White House, a National Historic Landmark, should pass through the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission before proceeding. A spokesperson for the National Trust said the organization was seeking clarity on what approvals had been obtained.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has defended the renovations as improvements funded largely through private donations and Trump's own contributions, saying the president intends to restore and enhance the building's grandeur. Democratic lawmakers have called for transparency over funding and design approvals.

The dispute reflects a recurring tension of Trump's term, as his hands-on approach to reshaping the White House collides with the review bodies charged with protecting the historic building.