Read the full article on KETV 7
President Donald Trump gave reporters a rare tour of the construction site for his new East Wing ballroom at the White House, emphasizing that the building itself is privately funded but raising questions about taxpayer money tied to security upgrades. “This goes down six stories. You see three stories because it’s already been built,” Trump said. He detailed plans for the ballroom, including a rooftop drone system. “On top of the roof, we’re going to have the greatest drone empire that you’ve ever seen. And it’s going to protect Washington,” Trump said. Trump reiterated that the ballroom is not funded by taxpayers. “This is a gift. This is not going to be paid for by the taxpayer,” he said. However, Senate Republicans have proposed up to $1 billion in taxpayer money for Secret Service security upgrades, which could include security for the ballroom. “Congress is approving money for security. It may go. Some of it may go here for additional security. I don’t know,” Trump said. The funding proposal has faced procedural hurdles and opposition from Democrats. At the Capitol, acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche defended a separate $1.8 billion Justice Department fund intended to compensate individuals who claim they were politically targeted. Sen. Christopher Coons, D-Del., questioned Blanche about the fund’s potential beneficiaries. “Will you commit that none of this money will go to President Trump’s campaign donors?” Coons asked. Blanche declined to make such a commitment. “I am not committing to anything beyond the settlement agreement itself,” he said. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., criticized the fund, calling it corrupt. “I just have to tell you this is corruption that has never been more blatant or more widespread. What is happening is you write the check, Trump and his cronies cash it,” Murray said. Blanche acknowledged the fund is “unusual” but argued it is not unprecedented. He explained that a five-member commission appointed by the attorney general would decide who receives payments. “Anybody can apply. The commission will set — the commissioners will set rules, I’m sure. That’s not for me to set,” Blanche said when asked if individuals charged with violence on Jan. 6 could apply. Vice President JD Vance addressed concerns during a press briefing, stating that no one in the president’s family would receive money from the Justice Department fund. The Justice Department said the fund was created to settle Trump’s lawsuit over the leak of his tax returns and to compensate individuals who claim they were politically targeted. As part of the settlement, the U.S. government has agreed to permanently drop tax claims connected to Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization.
President Donald Trump gave reporters a rare tour of the construction site for his new East Wing ballroom at the White House, emphasizing that the building itself is privately funded but raising questions about taxpayer money tied to security upgrades.
“This goes down six stories. You see three stories because it’s already been built,” Trump said.
Advertisement
He detailed plans for the ballroom, including a rooftop drone system. “On top of the roof, we’re going to have the greatest drone empire that you’ve ever seen. And it’s going to protect Washington,” Trump said.
Trump reiterated that the ballroom is not funded by taxpayers. “This is a gift. This is not going to be paid for by the taxpayer,” he said.
However, Senate Republicans have proposed up to $1 billion in taxpayer money for Secret Service security upgrades, which could include security for the ballroom. “Congress is approving money for security. It may go. Some of it may go here for additional security. I don’t know,” Trump said.
The funding proposal has faced procedural hurdles and opposition from Democrats.
At the Capitol, acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche defended a separate $1.8 billion Justice Department fund intended to compensate individuals who claim they were politically targeted.
Sen. Christopher Coons, D-Del., questioned Blanche about the fund’s potential beneficiaries. “Will you commit that none of this money will go to President Trump’s campaign donors?” Coons asked.
Blanche declined to make such a commitment. “I am not committing to anything beyond the settlement agreement itself,” he said.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., criticized the fund, calling it corrupt. “I just have to tell you this is corruption that has never been more blatant or more widespread. What is happening is you write the check, Trump and his cronies cash it,” Murray said.
Blanche acknowledged the fund is “unusual” but argued it is not unprecedented. He explained that a five-member commission appointed by the attorney general would decide who receives payments.
“Anybody can apply. The commission will set — the commissioners will set rules, I’m sure. That’s not for me to set,” Blanche said when asked if individuals charged with violence on Jan. 6 could apply.
Vice President JD Vance addressed concerns during a press briefing, stating that no one in the president’s family would receive money from the Justice Department fund.
The Justice Department said the fund was created to settle Trump’s lawsuit over the leak of his tax returns and to compensate individuals who claim they were politically targeted.
As part of the settlement, the U.S. government has agreed to permanently drop tax claims connected to Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization.
