Members of Maine’s congressional delegation are raising questions and criticisms in response to President Donald Trump’s demolition of the East Wing of the White House as part of his plans to construct a $300 million ballroom.

Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat who represents Maine’s 1st Congressional District, and independent Sen. Angus King, issued written statements this week sharply criticizing the demolition, saying it is an unauthorized overreach of presidential power and calling on Trump to halt the project.

Pingree also sent a letter directly to Trump.

“I write to demand that you immediately cease construction activities related to a new ballroom at the White House,” she said in the letter. “You have brazenly begun demolition without the legally required approval of several government agencies. Your actions are irreparably destroying a historic portion of one of America’s most recognizable landmarks and a symbol of our democracy.”

Trump announced plans earlier this year to add a 90,000-square-foot ballroom off the East Wing of the White House, saying it would allow officials to host larger events for world leaders and other guests. While the administration originally said the existing building would not be changed, Trump acknowledged this week that he was having the East Wing demolished.

The project is being funded by Trump and donors, and not with taxpayer funds, the president has said. Donors include major tech, software and energy companies as well as businesspeople and philanthropists who have given previously to Republican causes, such as Stephen A. Schwarzman and the Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Foundation, according to a list of donors published in the Washington Post.

Critics, however, say that the project has not gone through the normal review process for White House renovations.

Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat who represents Maine’s 2nd District, said in a written statement Friday that he is not opposed to the idea of a ballroom at the White House.

“But it goes without saying that the president should go through appropriate channels before destroying an entire wing of the executive residence,” he said.

In a written statement Friday, Republican Sen. Susan Collins said that while other presidents also have made changes to the White House and its grounds, Trump’s renovations “could alter the historic nature of the building.”

“I haven’t seen the plans, but historical preservation groups have questioned them,” Collins said.

Presidents have the authority to make minor changes such as redecorating the private residence and Oval Office at the White House, but major structural changes must be reviewed by the National Capital Planning Commission, according to King’s office, which said that as of Wednesday no plans had been filed to demolish the East Wing and build a new structure.

Prior to the demolition that started this week, the East Wing housed the Office of the First Lady and served as the primary public entrance.

“President Trump’s desecration of the White House is an insult to the American people and a betrayal of his obligation to safeguard our history and heritage,” King said. “While each President has left some mark on the building, none has attempted to so drastically alter its fundamental structure and purpose.”

Pingree, the top Democrat on the appropriations subcommittee overseeing the National Park Service, said Trump’s “disregard for the oversight and transparency requirements that protect our nation’s most revered sites is shocking.”

The White House is both a National Historic Landmark and a national park site.

Pingree also criticized Trump for pursuing the project during the ongoing government shutdown.

“You are clearly prioritizing an entertainment space over the American people at a time when basic needs like health care and groceries are increasingly unaffordable,” she said in her letter.