Today, NewsForKids.net looks at two stories about the United States: President Donald Trump has torn down the East Wing of the White House to build a new ballroom; and the US is building up its forces in the Caribbean and carrying out deadly attacks on boats.
Trump Tears Down East Wing of the White House
President Donald Trump has torn down the East Wing of the White House to make way for a huge, fancy ballroom.
The White House
The White House has several different buildings. The president and his family live in the main building. The West Wing is where the president works.
The East Wing was first built in 1902. In the 1940s, it was made larger, and an underground shelter was added. The East Wing was normally used by the president’s spouse, and for parties and other events.
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President Donald Trump has torn down the East Wing of the White House to make way for a huge, fancy ballroom. The move has upset many people because of the building’s important connections to history. Above, clearing away the wreckage last Thursday after the East Wing was destroyed.
Mr. Trump has long wanted a large ballroom at the White House. Ballrooms are meant for dancing, but they’re also used to hold large dinners.
Mr. Trump claimed the ballroom wouldn’t harm the East Wing. “It’ll be near it but not touching it,” he said.
But on October 20, workers began tearing the building down. Many people were upset, because of the building’s important connections to history.
Mr. Trump claimed the ballroom wouldn’t harm the East Wing. “It’ll be near it but not touching it,” he said. On October 20, workers began tearing the building down. Above, the East Wing being torn down on October 21.
(Source: Sizzlipedia [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)
Most older buildings in Washington, DC can’t be changed without special permission. Some people believe that tearing down the East Wing without permission may have been illegal.
But the building is gone now. Work has started on a 90,000-square-foot (8,360-square-meter) ballroom. That’s larger than a football field, and nearly twice the size of the main White House building.
The new ballroom is now expected to cost around $300 million. Mr. Trump says, “It’s being paid for 100% by me and some friends of mine.” This unusual method of paying for a public building has some people concerned that it could be a way for private companies and people to influence the president.
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The new ballroom is now expected to cost around $300 million. Mr. Trump says, “It’s being paid for 100% by me and some friends of mine.” This unusual method of paying for a public building has some people concerned. Above, Mr. Trump holds an image showing what the ballroom might look like.
US Military Buildup in Latin America
The US has sent a number of warships to the Caribbean. The move follows recent US attacks on boats in the area. Mr. Trump’s government claims the boats were used by drug gangs.
Many illegal drugs come into the US by sea from Latin America. The US says it’s working to stop this movement of drugs.
Since early September, the US military has carried out 10 attacks on boats that they say were run by drug gangs. The attacks killed 43 people.
Since early September, the US military has carried out 10 attacks on boats that they say were run by drug gangs. The attacks killed 43 people. Many people say the attacks are illegal. Above, an image from a video posted by Mr. Trump, showing a boat that was hit.
(Source: White House [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons.)
Many people say the attacks are illegal. Under US and international law, it’s against the law to attack civilians, even if they’re suspected of crimes. In the past, the US Coast Guard has worked to stop these boats and arrest people smuggling drugs.
Mr. Trump has called these drug gangs “terrorist groups”. He claims this gives him the right to treat them like the enemy in a war.
The US hasn’t provided proof that the boats were actually run by drug gangs. Colombian President Gustavo Petro says some of the people killed were Colombian fishermen. He called the attacks “murder”.
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The US has now sent several warships to the Caribbean. The world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford (above), has also been ordered to the region. The US hasn’t given a specific reason for the military buildup.
The US attacks have raised tensions with both Colombia and Venezuela. The US has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of helping drug smugglers. Some US leaders would like to force Mr. Maduro from power.
In an unusual move, the US has now sent several warships, including its largest aircraft carrier, to the Caribbean. The US has also sent about 10,000 soldiers to the region.
The US hasn’t given a specific reason for the military buildup. But the move clearly puts extra pressure on drug gangs and countries in the area.