The Underground White House West Wing Construction: A New White House Bunker?
In 2010, tall fences were erected outside the West Wing of the White House, signaling the start of a major construction project. Officially, this endeavor was described as a much-needed infrastructure systems replacement. However, the project’s massive scope, which involved a “sprawling, multistory structure whose underground assembly required truckloads of heavy-duty concrete and steel beams,” sparked numerous questions and conspiracy theories. Was this the creation of a new presidential command center with its own extensive communications data center? One official, speaking off the record, simply stated, “It is security-related construction.”
Before and After Photos of the Secret White House Construction Area
In 2007, a nondescript white building appeared adjacent to the West Wing. This building, visible in photos from that period, was located on the far right of the West Wing. During the George W. Bush Administration, this mysterious building did not officially exist, and no explanations were provided for its sudden presence. Speculation arose that this temporary structure might house a data center with communications equipment. The building was later removed during the West Wing construction project, potentially with its equipment relocated underground.
The first photo below shows the West Wing construction area in 2010, with the secret white building visible above ground. The second photo shows the completed construction area at the end of 2012, with the white building removed.
The White House Tunnel System
The history of secret construction beneath the White House dates back to the early 1950s under the Truman administration. The White House was in severe disrepair, necessitating extensive reconstruction. President Truman relocated to the nearby Blair House for three years while the interior of the White House was completely rebuilt with concrete and steel beams. During this period, a tunnel was constructed connecting the West Wing and East Wing, providing access to a bomb shelter.
In 1987, during the Reagan Administration, another secret tunnel was built to protect the President in the event of a terrorist attack. This new tunnel allows the President to access a hidden staircase outside the Oval Office by pressing on a wall panel to reveal a secret door. The passageway at the bottom of the stairs leads to a closet near the President’s private elevator in the basement of the Residence.
Additionally, there is a known tunnel leading from the basement of the East Wing to the basement of the Treasury Building, constructed by FDR as an air raid shelter. An underground passageway also provides pedestrian access between the White House and the Old Executive Office Building next door. There are rumors of tunnels connecting the White House to the Capitol, Blair House, the Vice President’s Residence, Camp David, and the Pentagon, but these remain unsubstantiated.
The Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC)
The PEOC was built by FDR beneath the East Wing to provide the President with a secure meeting place in case of emergency. While the exact specifications of this underground presidential bunker are classified, it was originally designed to withstand a direct nuclear hit. Access to the PEOC is via an elevator located behind multiple vault-type doors with biometric access control systems.
On September 11, 2001, President Bush met with his National Security Council in the PEOC bunker. Photos of this secret location were published by the National Archives, showing details of this extraordinary gathering. In her 2010 memoir, First Lady Laura Bush describes her 9/11 experience of going through a pair of big steel doors to access an unfinished subterranean hallway underneath the White House on her way to the Presidential Emergency Operations Center conference room, which was adjacent to the PEOC’s nerve center.
Meetings in the PEOC and Executive Briefing Room
The White House Visitor Access records provide detailed information about visitors to the White House. Records with a description field containing “PEOC,” “shelter,” or “executive briefing room,” and/or records with the meeting room field containing “PEOC” or “EBR” provide information related to PEOC visitors.
Theories and Speculation
The mysterious nature of the West Wing construction project, combined with the history of secret tunnels and bunkers beneath the White House, has led to widespread speculation. Theories abound regarding the true purpose of the 2010 construction. Some believe it was to create a new, state-of-the-art presidential command center equipped with advanced communications and data handling capabilities. Others think it might be an expansion of the existing PEOC or the creation of additional secure spaces for the President and senior officials.
While the true purpose of the construction remains classified, the historical context of White House renovations and the need for secure, underground facilities lend credence to the theory that this project was indeed related to enhancing the security and operational capabilities of the White House.
Historical Context
The need for secure facilities at the White House has been a priority for many administrations. The original construction of tunnels and bunkers began during the Cold War, a period characterized by the threat of nuclear conflict. The PEOC, constructed by FDR, was a direct response to the need for a secure location where the President could continue to govern in the event of a catastrophic attack on Washington, D.C.
During the Truman administration, the extensive renovations of the White House included not only structural improvements but also the addition of secure underground passages. These tunnels were designed to facilitate the safe and rapid movement of the President and key staff between critical areas of the White House and other nearby secure locations.
The Reagan administration’s construction of an additional secret tunnel was driven by the increasing threat of terrorism. This tunnel was designed to provide the President
