Key facts
- Democrats allege over $350 million from Trump's tax cut bill has been redirected to White House security.
- The funds were intended for Secret Service hiring and training.
- Congress previously rejected a $1 billion funding request for the ballroom project.
- The White House claims Trump and donors are funding $400 million for the ballroom, which includes security features.
- The project's total cost is reportedly $600 million, with over half from taxpayers.
Democrats have raised concerns that over $350 million from President Donald Trump's tax cut bill has been redirected to White House security, potentially funding a new ballroom project. This allocation, made by the White House's Office of Management and Budget, comes from accounts originally designated for the U.S. Secret Service's hiring and training needs.
The move follows Congress's rejection of a $1 billion request for the White House, which lawmakers deemed politically toxic amid high living costs. Senator Chuck Grassley, whose panel initially drafted the security funding, stated he was unaware of the allocations and that the expectation was for private funding.
Senator Jeff Merkley accused Trump of using a "smoke and mirrors tactic" and potentially wasting taxpayer money on vanity projects, questioning the legality of the fund shift. The ballroom project itself has faced setbacks, including the demolition of the East Wing and legal challenges, with reports suggesting its cost has ballooned to $600 million, more than half of which may come from taxpayers.
A White House spokesman, Davis R. Ingle, stated that Trump and donors are funding approximately $400 million for the ballroom development, emphasizing its inextricable link to the security of the President and White House grounds. He cited recent events as proof of the project's necessity. Government lawyers have argued that the project includes critical security features, such as bomb shelters and a medical facility, beneath the ballroom.
The shifting of funds is expected to ignite concerns in Congress regarding the separation of powers and the president's authority over congressionally allocated funds. The money originated from Trump's tax breaks and spending cuts bill, which provided over $1 billion for Secret Service resources. Under the Constitution, Congress holds the authority to allocate federal funds.