Are White House renovation contracts subject to Freedom of Information Act requests and how to file one?
Executive summary
Yes — many records about White House renovations created or held by federal agencies are subject to FOIA, but White House-originated and certain “Presidential” records are treated differently and may be withheld or routed through special procedures (see Justice Dept. guidance and White House FOIA practice) [1] [2]. To request renovation contracts you must identify the correct agency that holds the documents (e.g., OMB, OSTP, National Capital Planning Commission or other EOP component), use that agency’s FOIA channel or FOIA.gov, and be prepared for exemptions, consultations, and statutory response times (typically 20 working days, with possible 10-working-day extensions) [3] [4] [5].
1. Who controls records about White House renovations — and why it matters
Renovation documents can be federal agency records or Presidential records; the distinction determines whether FOIA applies. Agencies such as OMB, OSTP and other Executive Office of the President (EOP) components create federal records that are generally subject to FOIA [2] [6]. By contrast, purely “White House-originated” Presidential records sit in a special posture and agencies that find such material in their files follow Justice Department procedures before release [1]. That split explains why some renovation-related contracts or communications are readily obtainable while others are withheld or routed through interagency review [1] [2].
2. Which offices you should target for a FOIA about renovation contracts
You must identify the agency that actually has custody of the contracts. The FOIA guidance stresses that each agency handles its own FOIA requests and that finding the correct component is crucial; FOIA.gov helps locate the right office [3]. The Office of Management and Budget, OSTP, the Office of Administration and other EOP entities each maintain separate FOIA processes — and OA and OSTP note they are distinct and will not process FOIA requests for other White House offices [7] [4]. Available sources do not mention a single public page saying “all White House renovation contracts are centrally searchable.”
3. Timelines, process and common hurdles
Standard agency FOIA practice gives agencies 20 working days to respond to a “perfected” request and permits an extra 10 working days for consultations or other narrow circumstances (this is the statutory timeline cited by OSTP guidance) [4]. FOIA.gov adds that response times vary by complexity and backlog and that nine statutory exemptions (e.g., national security, deliberative process, confidential business information) can lawfully withhold records [3] [2]. When an agency locates White House-originated material in its files it follows Justice Department consultation procedures, which can add more time and review layers [1].
4. Practical steps to file a FOIA for renovation contracts
Start by checking FOIA.gov and the likely agencies’ FOIA pages to find the correct recipient [3]. Describe records precisely — include project name (e.g., “East Wing renovation”), contract numbers, contractor names, date ranges and formats — so the request can be “located with a reasonable amount of effort,” per OSTP guidance [4]. Submit via the target agency’s FOIA portal or FOIA.gov; some EOP components publish their own submission instructions and logs that show past requests and handling [4] [8]. If your request pulls White House-originated records, expect interagency consultations described in Justice Department guidance [1].
5. What to expect on disclosure and redactions
Even if an agency has a contract, portions can be redacted under FOIA exemptions: proprietary business information, national security, or deliberative/internal communications are commonly withheld [2]. Agencies must document exemptions and you can appeal denials administratively; FOIA logs and quarterly reports show agencies routinely consult and appeal as part of processing [8] [5]. Public reporting — for example, contemporary coverage of the 2025 East Wing project — indicates plans and filings may be publicly visible through planning commissions, but contract-level detail often rests with the agency that holds procurement records [9].
6. Watch for competing narratives and private funding claims
Some online outlets assert private donors shield renovation spending from FOIA scrutiny; independent reporting and agency guidance show the reality is more nuanced: records tied to federal agencies are subject to FOIA, but private donor records that never become federal records may not be [3] [2]. A recent fringe post claims private donors make the project entirely exempt — that claim is not corroborated by official FOIA guidance in the sources provided; available sources do not mention any categorical rule that private funding automatically removes FOIA jurisdiction [3] [2] [9].
7. If you’re denied or stalled: appeals and next moves
Agencies provide administrative appeal routes for denials; the Justice Department’s guidance sets consultation rules when White House-originated material is involved, which can be cited if you believe an agency misrouted a record [1]. FOIA.gov and agency FOIA pages explain appeal processes and alternative tools such as the agency’s FOIA logs and reading rooms, which may already contain contract redactions or summaries [3] [2] [8].
Limitations: reporting here relies on agency FOIA guidance, FOIA.gov and Justice Department memoranda in the materials provided; it does not include any later internal policies or litigation outcomes not contained in those sources.