St Brides Spa Hotel has been picked by The Times and Sunday Times as one of the top 50 hotels in the UK

It’s one of Wales’ best coastal hotel with sweeping views of Carmarthen Bay, a luxurious clifftop spa, cosy, classy rooms and a cracking restaurant.

St Bride’s Hotel and Spa in Saundersfoot has also recently been named as one of the UK’s 50 best places to stay in the UK in The Times and The Sunday Times Best Places to Stay 2026 list.

It absolutely deserves its spot on the list – as well as its title of ‘Best in Wales’ for 2026 at the AA Hospitality Awards, too.

The annual list, compiled by travel experts from the two newspapers, highlights standout hotels across Britain based on style, service, food and location.

This January I was lucky enough to stay at St Bride’s and experience why it’s such a wonderful hotel and location.

Cosy rooms, comfortable bar area, great restaurant all come together here to make a fine night’s escape from the everyday but it has to be its phenomenal spa area that should top the USP rating for St Bride’s Hotel, which overlooks the gorgeous Saundersfoot village and sandy beach – that stretches out in front of you whether you are sat eating your breakfast or mulling over life itself in the warm hydrotherapy pool.

I’ve long been a visitor to this corner of Pembrokeshire and if it’s summer, I’d usually opt for a an airbnb or cosy cottage, staying away from so called ‘luxury’ escapes – one, because they are too expensive and two, just because when I’m in Pembrokeshire I want it to feel like I’m in Pembrokeshire. I feared a luxury hotel would detract from this… make you feel like you were at a cut and paste accommodation.

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But dunk me in an ice bath and tell me I’m wrong, because in this moment there was nothing better than a escaping to the long-established Saundersfoot gem and for the record, you could definitely tell you were in Pembrokeshire good and proper.

Now run by the Celtic Collection, that owns Celtic Manor, Ty Milford amongst others. St Bride’s has been revamped with a new-look spa and its 34 bedrooms have had a makeover, not to mention it’s got the Cliff Restaurant on site, too. It being a special occasion, as well as a much-needed escape to some downtime, my group had booked a dinner, bed and breakfast package with spa access too.

Almost as soon as we checked in we were headed to the spa (I’d take your own flipflops unless you want soggy slip-ons). We’d not booked any treatments, we just wanted to sit, float and steam ourselves into oblivion with the odd excitable conversation about The Traitors and encouraging other groups to use the exhilarating cold water bucket at the side of the outside sauna. ( They did and loved it).

The spa itself is recently redone in the past year and is stunning. I may not have been to every single coastal spa in the UK, but I’ll say this felt so calm and lux, we just were in our element. There’s two saunas, one indoor, one out, steam rooms, salt steam room, the hydrotherapy pool. outdoor jacuzzi and the Himalayan salt and infrared therapy room.

To be honest I’m not a fan of steam rooms and the salt room was slightly underwhelming – but that’s because all I was hankering after was lazing in the infinity hydrotherapy pool which was warm and, unlike a hot tub, had plenty of room as well as a powerful, neck massaging tap.

The outdoor sauna was wonderful – sweeping views of Carmarthenshire Bay via floor to ceiling windows and while remaining warm and imbibing that comforting scent of heated wood. Yes, we did douse ourselves in cold water but that’s only because we could get straight back in the hydrotherapy pool, which also allowed you to take in those views.

For those wanting a a break from being in the pool or sauna, the relaxation room has heated beds and refreshing drinks. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here

I honestly can’t effuse enough about how lovely it was spending a couple of hours switching off with one of the best views in Wales in front of you.

I thought my day couldn’t get any better but after rinsing the room of its coffee-making facilities we headed down for dinner. It might be a me-problem, in that I always expect mediocrity at a hotel restaurant, maybe it’s growing up in the ’80s and ’90s – but thankfully I’m quite often proved wrong.

The package we had included a three-course dinner at the AA Rosette awarded The Cliff. I started off with seaweed cured salmon, beetroot confit egg yolk, popped wheat and dill lemon gel, followed by fillet of beef with lobster beignet, charred octopus,onion velouté and Cheddar crackling.

Other options included a pressing of ham knuckle, egg and mustard soufflé, pickled cucumber, frisée lettuce and roasted duck breast with rich faggot, fondant potato,soused blackberries and liquorice sauce.

My starter of salmon was good. Substantial slivers of the fish which had bite of salt to it thanks to the seaweed and I felt the soft, flavoursome egg added an extra oomph to a delicate starter, as did the tart dill lemon gel. But the beef fillet was incredible.

A hunk of medium-rare cooked beef, the kind you always think looks small, but in reality is enough. It was toped with a bit of charred octopus and a lobster beignet – which is a small, deep-fried dough. Altogether a powerful set of flavours, but each one was done with care and delicacy none overwhelmed the other and created a delightful combo. The beef cut like butter and had a real depth of flavourm, each meaty mouthful keeping up with the next, the octopus brought an added lighter flavour and texture to the mix, while the beignet was just lush. slight crispness, not doughy at all in the middle – so dangerously beautiful. No wonder it was modest in size as if I ate more of them (which I definitely would) I’d be cooked. Game over.

The onion velouté provided a warm, thick sauce to pull all the items together. On the side we ordered amazing chorizo crumb and Gran Levante cheese fries, tenderstem broccoli,tomato pesto, almonds and charred cabbage, dill, lime yoghurt and crispy onions.

I smashed the hell out of those sides. The fries were like crack. Moreish, salty with a chew of a the bits of chorizo and the cheese was crumby too, which sounds weird but it works. The two veggies were paired with ingredients that just elevated boring, green veg to something I could polish off in a flash. The slight disappointment was that the sides were extra when, if you pay for a three course meal package you’d hope your mains would come with vegetable sides as standard.

By this point I didn’t even need a dessert, but it was coming anyway so I opted for the classic sticky toffee pudding, something that everyone could enjoy a spoonful of – and did. It was a lighter, more airy sponge than what you’d normally expect from a STP but this did not make it less enjoyable, the flavour however was a cut above, it had a really smart cinnamon flavour, which was dominant but not overdone. So not too sweet, but a really warming, pleasing taste that made the salted caramel sauce seem even better. A belter of a dessert – even if I didn’t need it.

If after your dinner you want to relax and grab another drink the bar area is big and comfortable and the ideal place to hang out. Rooms-wise, I feel the Celtic Collection have really done a lovely job with what was already there – St Bride’s has been around for years – as the standard bedrooms are quite modest in size. But they are decorated beautifully, with a stylish nod to the seaside location. Beds are gorgeously comfy, but if you suffer with neck trouble, I recommend requesting a firmer pillow if they have it.

As a whole package, for what we wanted to achieve on our stay, ie. nothing but pure relaxation, St Brides Spa Hotel is a no-brainer. It’s comfy, chilled and at the centre of one the the best places in the world.

Carrick then added that he felt the Amad and Evanilson penalty decisions were similar: “Where do you start, really? Listen, maybe he’s passed Harry [Maguire] and that’s the right decision and he’s given that. I haven’t got too much of a problem, I haven’t seen it back to be totally honest, but I think if he’s passed him and he’s in on goal, I can understand that decision, so I’m not going we deserve everything.

She has amassed over 20k followers on Tik Tok after starting to share her favourite foodie finds in February 2025. However, it’s her custard slice tour inspired by her late mother which has really taken off.

Dawn Fearn is a Welsh hero. The 52-year-old from Morriston has decided to share her love for a specific dessert online, by taking part in a custard slice tour of South Wales.

Dawn, who cares for two ladies with dementia, has decided to share her nostalgic passion for the dessert in an attempt to find the best custard slice in Wales.

She has amassed over 20,000 followers on Tik Tok after starting to share her favourite foodie finds in February 2025. However, it’s her custard slice tour, inspired by her late mother, which has really taken off. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here

Dawn told Wales Online that she started he social media accounts a year ago, as an outlet away from her caring duties. She said: “Well, I’ve been doing a bit of social media since last February. Because I care for two ladies with dementia in my own home, it was just a way of me getting out of the house and being able to be me, because, I think sometimes your identity can get a little bit lost.

“So I just started doing a bit on social media and if I went to a café, I’d review it on TikTok. Then I did a few walks and it’s just kind of grown. Then I think because I’m getting a bit older now, and doing a bit of reminiscing, I was thinking about my mum and going for a custard slice.

“When we were younger we’d have Custard Slice Day, so I don’t know what day it was, but we’d go down to our local café and we’d always a custard slice. I’ve always loved a custard slices, so you know I’d often buy one and I was sitting in the car one day and I’d bought one and I was just like ‘why don’t I try different custard slices, do you know what I am, I’m going to try different custard slices.’

“Now, I’m just just shy of 5000 followers on Instagram which is mental.”

Originally inspired by her late mother who passed away ten years ago, Dawn said that she thinks about her every time she tries a new custard slice. She explained: “Every custard slice I have I do think of her. Me and the ladies I care for usually share, I try not to eat a whole one. We share the custard slices and I did one video where I went to CK’s to see them being made and they gave me four boxes to bring home. So the ladies had custard slices for like two days.”

She joked that everyone thinks she has eaten loads of custard slices however, she tries to rein it in where she can. Dawn said: “I mean, somebody said to me in the street, they were like ‘how many custard slices have you eaten in a day?’ I was just like, I have maybe two a week, maybe. I’m not eating them everyday, even though it on social media it seem like I’m eating them all the time.”

Dawn explained that the series has received an amazing reaction, and even the popular Sticky Toffee Pudding reviewer has taken notice of her content. Many commenters have been recommending their favourite custard slice spots in south Wales. She said: “They tend to always comment on the posts saying ‘you’ve got to try this place, these are the best ones’ and they send me a photo or I get messages on Instagram saying ‘in my opinion you need to try this one.’”

When asked where she found the best custard slices on the tour, Dawn said that she has three contenders, however she is yet to find a 10/10. Armed with her trusty custard slice ruler, she explained: “I haven’t given a 10 yet, but I am very stingy, I just don’t tend to give 10s. It’s got to be absolutely out of this world. At some point, I am going to have to pin a winner.

“Glynneath Tea Rooms is up there because they are probably the closest to a custard slice that I remember, along with Fablas in Cowbridge which is also the same kind of scoring and Crazy Baker in Swansea. They’re more of a creamy custard slice.

“Now, Glynneath Tearooms for me is what I would say is a proper custard slice. You know the custard is like that set custard that I just remember and they are massive as well. It’s a lovely place, Glynneath Tearooms, it’s like old school tearooms.”

Although, some of her reviews have been met with some controversy from the custard slice fan club. Dawn said: “I’ve had one of the ones that scored 9.5 ask what could they have done to make it a 10, which is fair enough. But I did have some controversy over pastry in one, and I think that was like my third one in. I was just like ‘oh what am i doing’ because it it did get quite heated.

“For me, I just think a custard slice shouldn’t have shortcrust pastry it should be the kind of puff pastry. So I did have a bit of controversy over that one and unfortunately the place I visited got involved and yeah it just got a little bit heated shall we say. At the end of the day it’s just it’s my personal choice. I think I said in one video I’m not the custard slice police it’s just my preference.”

Next up on her tour, Dawn is hoping to expand her horizons past Swansea and Neath. So far she’s been to Tonypandy and Carmarthen, and is hoping to head to Cardiff and Cwmbran next.

When she’s finally ran out of custard slices to try in South Wales, Dawn has planned her next food tour. She revealed: “I have been toying with doing rissoles, because they are another thing that are kind of quite Welsh.

“My husband’s English, so when I said to him about having a rissole when we were first together, he was like, ‘what?’ He’d never heard of rissoles. It’s really weird, so yeah they might be next on the list.”

Actor and martial artist Chuck Norris died aged 86, his family announced on Instagram. In their statement, his family said they prefer to keep the circumstances private, but described Norris’ loss as “sudden”.

They went on to say, “We know many of you had heard about his recent hospitalisation, and we are truly grateful for the prayers and support you sent his way”. The Hollywood action star died “at peace” surrounded by his family.

Follow this story here.

Joe Kent, who served as President Donald Trump’s counterterrorism chief, has pushed back against reports that he is under FBI investigation, insisting he “did nothing wrong” and denouncing the alleged probe as a “sideshow.”

Kent resigned as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center on Tuesday over his staunch opposition to the war in Iran, which he claimed Trump had been deceived into starting. The next day, multiple news outlets reported that the FBI had opened an investigation into Kent over allegations he inappropriately shared classified material.

“As for the leak allegations, I’m not concerned because I know I did nothing wrong,” Kent told Megyn Kelly, a popular conservative podcaster, in an interview released on Friday.

“Of course, I am concerned because we’ve all seen the FBI and the full weight of the government come down on individuals who speak out,” he added. “So that has me a little concerned but I know the truth and the facts are on my side.”

Kelly, one of several right‑wing media figures to speak out against the war, noted that Trump and his allies have relentlessly attacked Kent, branding him as weak and even accusing him of treason. She asked whether the fallout from his resignation had angered him.

“It does anger me,” he said. “But it’s all just to be expected. I knew this was going to happen. I know their playbook.”

He also insinuated that the bureau’s investigation may not even be real.

“If there truly was an FBI investigation — and who knows maybe there will be — then there would be a process and a procedure for that. They would actually formally come to me, and if they were still collecting information they most certainly wouldn’t leak it,” Kent said.

When reached for comment by The Independent, an FBI spokesperson declined to comment on the probe.

“I feel very confident in what I’m doing right now,” Kent added. “I think I have a mission, and I think it is to do everything I can to stop this war. To me I kind of view everything else as a sideshow.”

Kent’s interview with Kelly is among several media appearances he has made since posting his resignation letter to X on Tuesday morning, which quickly went viral and drew more than 100 million views.

“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” he wrote. “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”

The 20-year Army veteran — whose Navy officer wife died while serving in Syria — added that he “cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people.”

Kent expanded on his decision to leave the administration in an interview with Tucker Carlson released on Wednesday. He told Carlson that the Israelis “drove the decision” to go to war and that Iran was not on the verge of developing a nuclear bomb.

He also claimed that, during his tenure, he was blocked from investigating the September assassination of Charlie Kirk, which he insinuated may have been carried out by foreign actors.

The White House — which was reportedly caught off guard by Kent’s sudden departure — has dismissed his decision as inconsequential.

Trump said he “realized that it’s a good thing that he’s out” after reading his resignation letter on Tuesday. The president also characterized Kent as “weak on security.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the episode “laughable” and took issue with the ex-counterrorism chief’s claim that Iran posed no imminent threat to the U.S.

“As President Trump has clearly and explicitly stated, he had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first,” Leavitt wrote on X.

Recent polls show that a majority of Americans are opposed to the war in Iran, which has now entered its third week.

Tributes have been paid to martial arts icon and action movie star Chuck Norris, who has died aged 86.

The Hollywood actor was remembered by US President Donald Trump, as well as a host of celebrities and his own family, who called him a “warrior” with a heart “full of love”.

Norris saw a resurgence in popularity after an early internet meme – consisting of jokes presented as “facts” exaggerating his strength and abilities – propelled him to online fame in the mid-2000s.

Born in Oklahoma in 1940, Norris joined the US Air Force in his late teens and began training in martial arts while stationed in South Korea, eventually earning a black belt and becoming a six-time undefeated World Professional Middleweight Karate champion.

After transitioning into acting, Norris landed his breakthrough role in The Way of the Dragon in 1972 opposite Bruce Lee, before going on to star in more than 20 movies, including Missing in Action and The Delta Force.

His role in long-running TV series Walker, Texas Ranger cemented his fame.

Norris’s family shared the news of the actor’s “sudden passing” just days after his 86th birthday on Friday, describing him as “the heart of our family” who lived with “faith, purpose and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved”.

“While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace,” his family said.

The US president joined in the tributes to the movie star, telling reporters outside the White House that Norris was a “great guy” and “tough cookie”.

“You didn’t want to fight him, I’ll tell you,” Trump said.

Norris’s daughter, Danielle, said: “He may have a warrior exterior, but his heart was so full of love and I’m so grateful that is something he and my mom passed down to me.”

One of his grandchildren, Greta, paid a tribute to the actor in a post on Instagram that referenced the “Chuck Norris facts” genre of internet joke that played on Norris’s persona as a tough guy and invincible fighter.

“You all knew Chuck Norris as the man that counted to infinity twice, the man who got bit by a cobra and the cobra died,” she said.

“He was the man that would not do a push-up but would push the earth down.

“Chuck Norris was known for many amazing things, but what I am most proud of is I got to know him as my Papa.”

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Action stars Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren paid tribute to Norris, who they all starred alongside in The Expendables 2 in 2012.

In his final Facebook post shared on 10 March to mark his birthday, Norris said: “I don’t age. I level up.”

“I’m grateful for another year, good health and the chance to keep doing what I love,” he added.

Political conservative and meme legend

Shortly after an appearance in the 2004 film Dodgeball, Norris became the focus of an early viral internet meme that would propel him to a new level of fame.

The format of the joke presented wildly hyperbolic statements about his strength and prowess as facts, such as “Chuck Norris had a staring contest with the sun – and won”.

Another one reads: “The flu gets a Chuck Norris shot every year”.

Norris has also been outspoken about his conservative views, including support for gun rights.

He endorsed Donald Trump for his first presidential run in 2016.

Norris is survived by his wife Gena O’Kelley, five children and 13 grandchildren.

​​Haven Leisure’s proposal to build a jump tower where people can jump from a platform with a soft landing and climbing wall at its Blue Dolphin Holiday park in Filey has been given the go-ahead by North Yorkshire Council (NYC).

​The scheme will involve associated ground works and will be located to the south of an existing facilities building and to the west of an existing owners’ lounge.

No objections were made by members of the public or Gristhorpe Parish Council.

​Officers considered whether the proposal would have a negative visual impact on the area but concluded that it was “unlikely to be readily distinguishable or be unduly prominent in long views of the holiday park”.

​Haven Leisure said that the jump tower and climbing wall will not be floodlit and will only be operational during daylight hours.

​​“The site currently houses a climbing wall set over bark chipping with a fence and grassland. This activity area is used regularly by guests only during the opening times of the park,” according to submitted proposals.

NYC noted that the development is located in the developed part of the holiday park and that the jump tower “would be visible from the road but would be viewed against the backdrop of the existing metal-clad buildings”.

Officers added: “The proposal is slightly taller than the adjacent building but is not considered to result in harm.

“The proposed development would be viewed within the context of the holiday park and is not considered to result in undue harm to the immediate context or setting when travelling along The Marr or Bowes Lane.”

The application was approved by North Yorkshire Council, subject to conditions.

Has President Trump just given the biggest indication yet that he’s done with this war in Iran?

There’ve been a flurry of overnight developments.

The caveat, up front, is that this is a president who changes his mind and has delivered very mixed messages in recent weeks. He also sees real value in saying one thing and doing the opposite. He bluffs.

That said, his language is more definitive than before. It feels more than ever like an “off-ramp” from his “Iran excursion” as he calls it.

Iran war latest: Trump considers ‘winding down’ Iran war

First, on the White House south lawn, he told us: “Oh, I think we’ve won. We’ve knocked out their navy, their air force. We’ve knocked out their anti-aircraft. We’ve knocked out everything. We’re roaming free.”

He followed that with: “We want victory… and that’s what we’ve got.”

As ever the messaging was somewhat mixed. “Well, look,” he said: “… I don’t want to do a ceasefire. You know, you don’t do a ceasefire when you’re literally obliterating the other side.”

But then an hour later, from the air, on Air Force One he delivered the clearest indication yet, via his Truth Social account, that he’s keen to wind down the conflict.

Does he really think he’s achieved all the war aims, or is he now properly spooked by the global economic consequences the war has caused?

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Iran war day 21: Videos from the ground

List of accomplishments

On Truth Social he said: “We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran.”

Then he lists the accomplishments as he sees them:

“(1) Completely degrading Iranian Missile Capability, Launchers, and everything else pertaining to them.

“(2) Destroying Iran’s Defense Industrial Base.

“(3) Eliminating their Navy and Air Force, including Anti Aircraft Weaponry.

“(4) Never allowing Iran to get even close to Nuclear Capability, and always being in a position where the U.S.A. can quickly and powerfully react to such a situation, should it take place.

“(5) Protecting, at the highest level, our Middle Eastern Allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others.”

I’ll get to his kicker for his allies in a moment but a thought on those points above first.

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UK ‘should have acted a lot faster’ says Trump

The nuclear material is still in Iran

The first three points amount to the comprehensive destruction of Iran’s military – that may well be accurate given how intense the American and Israeli bombing has been over three weeks.

But point four – “Iran is now not even close to nuclear capability”?

Well it’s almost certainly been knocked back years, but the nuclear material – near weapons grade, remember – that’s still somewhere in Iran.

And, of course, for now at least the regime remains in place: more defiant, more aggrieved, more intent on revenge.

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Supreme leader issues new statement

Danger of retaliation is huge

The danger of low-level, prolonged, dangerous and disruptive asymmetrical retaliation is huge. The Iranian regime, as President Trump reminds us, was the global sponsor and exporter of terror. Its sleeper cells are sophisticated. It’s a huge challenge for intelligence agencies.

Finally – the kicker in his statement.

“The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it – The United States does not! If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn’t be necessary once Iran’s threat is eradicated.”

Put simply – he’s saying: “Sorry folks – not America’s problem. We broke the global energy market. You need to fix it.”

He adds that it will be easy to fix. No one else anywhere is claiming that, by the way.

So what next? Well, let’s see how what’s left of the Iranian government responds to this apparent shift by President Trump.

Remember too that this is a president who shifts, changes, and contradicts his own statements all the time.

To underline that, thousands more American troops are already on the way to the region.

Don’t take anything for certain.

President Donald Trump adores the sound of the ongoing renovations at the White House, but the same cannot be said for first lady Melania Trump, the president told reporters on Friday.

“It makes me happy,” he said of hearing the project take shape. “My wife doesn’t love it,” he added.

The Independent has contacted the first lady’s office for comment.

Heavy machinery has been active on the White House grounds since October, when the president unilaterally began construction on his planned $400 million ballroom complex.

That’s music to the former real estate developer’s ears.

“I love the sound of concrete,” Trump added on Friday. “I love the sound of pile drivers.”

To build the 22,000-square-foot ballroom, the president demolished the East Wing, the site of the first lady’s offices.

“She loved her little tiny office,” the president told Fox News in November, though he added that Melania thinks the new designs for the East Wing are “great.”

Privately, the first lady has reportedly sought to distance herself from the renovation.

She has expressed concern about the East Wing teardown and has told associates it wasn’t her project, The Wall Street Journal reported last year, citing unnamed administration officials.

The privately-funded ballroom build-out has generated widespread criticism from architects, preservation groups and members of the public, who sent in thousands of negative comments before a National Capital Planning Commission meeting about the project earlier this month.

The commission, chaired by a Trump ally, has a final vote on the ballroom project scheduled for April 2.

The project continues to face legal scrutiny.

While hearing a lawsuit from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a federal judge this week accused the administration of offering “shifting” justifications for what gave it the authority to begin the renovation project without consulting Congress or federal planning bodies.

The Justice Department claims the president already has authority under federal law to make improvements and alterations at the White House, reasoning that Washington, D.C., federal Judge Richard Leon appeared to doubt.

Calling the new compound a mere alteration of the White House “takes some brazen interpretation of the laws of vocabulary,” he reportedly said.

The ballroom project could also face legal challenges due to the officials that Trump has appointed to the National Capital Planning Commission, who lack the required experience in city or regional planning to serve on the body, according to some watchdog groups.

“Those appointments were not just a crude political power play,” Jon Golinger of the liberal advocacy group Public Citizen told commissioners at a meeting earlier this month. “They were unlawful, and they destroy the credibility of the vote on this project if those individuals vote for it.”

As the fate of the East Wing hangs in the balance, Trump allies are reportedly pushing to alter other elements of the White House design.

Rodney Mims Cook Jr., a Trump appointee who chairs the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, which reviews public projects in the capital, told The Washington Post he is proposing to replace the columns on the north facade of the White House.

“Corinthian is the highest order [of column], and that’s what our other two branches of government have,” he told the paper.

“Why the White House didn’t originally use them, at least on the north front, which is considered the front door, is beyond me,” he added, noting he hadn’t discussed the idea yet with the president.

In a rare check on the administration’s ever-expanding construction agenda, the Commission of Fine Arts recently delayed a vote on a new screening center development for White House visitors, reportedly as commissioners sought substantial design changes because the proposal called for too large of a building.