The Washington Post’s editorial board has offered a surprising endorsement of President Trump’s contentious decision to demolish the East Wing of the White House, a move that has sparked significant debate.

In an opinion piece published on Saturday, the board lauded the initiative, stating, “The White House should not remain a mere relic of the past. Much like America, it must adapt and progress to retain its grandeur. Strong leaders challenge stagnation. In this regard, Trump’s actions serve as a bold statement against those resistant to change,” referring to the NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) mindset.

The demolition process came to a close last Thursday, following a week of fervent activity that began with excavators dismantling the structure the previous Monday. The East Wing, before its removal, housed significant offices, including that of First Lady Melania Trump, the White House social secretary, calligrapher, the movie theater, and even the presidential bunker.

The president’s plan to replace the East Wing with a grand ballroom has not been without controversy. Critics have voiced their disapproval, particularly after Trump assured that the new ballroom would be constructed near but not directly connected to the current White House structure.

The demolition of the East Wing to leave space for the president’s vision of a ballroom has triggered outcry from critics. Trump had initially said that the ballroom would be close to but “not touching” the existing building.

The Washington Post’s editorial board said in their piece that “Trump joins a long list of presidents who have left their imprint on the White House.”

“Theodore Roosevelt replaced greenhouses to construct the West Wing. William Howard Taft constructed the first Oval Office in 1909. Richard M. Nixon converted a swimming pool into the press briefing room in 1970,” the editorial board added.

“The modern East Wing wasn’t even built until World War II to cover up an underground bunker. Harry S. Truman gutted the White House interior and added the balcony that bears his name. Purists decried it. Now it’s a hallmark.”

The Post is owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.