Breaking The Law! Breaking The Law!

 Well, not technically.  Which can be simplified to just plain, no.

National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 (codified at 54 U.S.C. § 300101 et seq.)—there is a specific exemption for the White House, the Supreme Court building, and the U.S. Capitol (including their grounds and related buildings). This exemption applies to the Act's Section 106 review process (54 U.S.C. § 306108), which requires federal agencies to assess and mitigate potential adverse effects of construction, alteration, or demolition on historic properties before proceeding. These three structures are explicitly carved out to allow the executive, judicial, and legislative branches greater autonomy in managing their facilities.

Legal Basis: 54 U.S.C. § 307104 states: "Nothing in this division applies to the White House and its grounds, the Supreme Court building and its grounds, or the United States Capitol and its related buildings and grounds." This makes the NHPA's preservation requirements inapplicable to these sites, bypassing mandatory consultations with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, State Historic Preservation Officers, and public input.

Scope: The exemption covers construction, renovations, demolitions, and maintenance that could impact historic features. For example, recent White House East Wing demolition for a ballroom addition (October 2025) proceeded without Section 106 review, though voluntary submissions to bodies like the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) were made for transparency.

Rationale: Enacted amid post-WWII development concerns, the NHPA aimed to protect cultural landmarks, but these exemptions recognize the unique symbolic and operational needs of the three branches of government. Presidents and agencies often follow preservation best practices voluntarily (e.g., via the Secretary of the Interior's Standards) to maintain public trust.