Washington — The entire White House East Wing has now largely been demolished, satellite imagery shows, after the White House said President Trump doesn't need to seek approval to tear it down.

Trump had said in July that the new ballroom "won’t interfere with the current building." But this week he clarified that "to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure."

It's part of Trump's plan to build a ballroom nearly twice the size of the White House at an updated cost of $300 million.

Still standing are the president’s theater and a covered walkway called the East Colonnade that connects to the main residence, and the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, which sits just south of the colonnade. The garden, sometimes referred to as the East Garden or the First Lady’s Garden, has served as a location for outdoor receptions.

Construction workers in lime green vests, hoodies and hard hats who have spent the last several days clearing the White House’s East Wing departed through the Treasury grounds on their way out for lunch break Thursday,

AP photojournalist Jacquelyn Martin was one of the first photographers to capture the complete demolition of the White House East Wing.

Mourners are outraged over President Trump’s demolition of the East Wing to make way for his $300 million ballroom. Others say it was time for change.

Photos of the demolition of the East Wing at the White House have reportedly gone viral on social media. The company involved in the demolition, ACECO, has had to take down its website after