When President John Adams first stepped into the unfinished “President’s House” in 1800, he prayed that “none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof.”

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For more than two centuries, that roof—now known as the White House—has witnessed both the wisdom and the folly of American leadership. It has been burned, rebuilt, gutted, and restored, reflecting not only the state of our architecture but the state of our national soul.

Every president has left his mark, from Jefferson’s elegant colonnades to Truman’s balcony, from FDR’s pool to Jackie Kennedy’s historic preservation. Each renovation stirred controversy, yet each became part of the story of an evolving nation—one that believes in renewal and beauty.

Now, history repeats itself. President Donald Trump’s plan to construct a privately funded ballroom within the White House has provoked outcry from critics who call it wasteful or vain. But the truth is simpler and far more American: this project continues a centuries-old tradition of stewardship and vision. The White House has never been static; it has always been alive, adapting with the times while preserving its spirit.

More importantly, the ballroom symbolizes something deeper—a belief that America should still build things that are beautiful, noble, and lasting. Just as Jefferson sought grace in design and Truman rebuilt from ruin, this project reminds us that we can honor our past while preparing for future generations. The structure itself may be new, but the impulse behind it—the desire to reflect God’s order and grandeur in the spaces where we gather—is as old as our Republic.

Critics forget that the People’s House belongs to the people. Every time we restore it, refine it, or expand it, we renew the hope John Adams prayed for: that honest and wise men—and women—might yet rule within it. Perhaps this new addition will one day host prayers, worship, and state occasions where leaders remember that beauty, like liberty, is a gift from God meant to be shared.

How are you praying about the White House expansion? Share your prayers below.

Excerpted from Breitbart. Photo Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images.