Dust coats the iron railings on Pennsylvania Avenue. Scaffolding grips the East Wing as if the house itself were on trial.
The Supreme Court has let the builders carry on for now. Chief Justice John Roberts signed a temporary order. Work may proceed while the court weighs an emergency appeal from the administration.
Crews are laying a floor designed to stay in slight motion. Three gilt runners will carry guests in a slow circuit so that no one ever has to arrive at a conclusion.
A card taped to the gate put the method in writing.
