Democrats say $350M from Trump's tax cuts law may be paying for White House ballroom

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump is facing fresh scrutiny after Democrats said more than $350 million redirected to White House security could be helping fund his controversial Ballroom project despite his pledge that private donors would cover the cost.

Democrats quickly seized on the funding move. They argue the newly allocated money raises fresh questions about whether taxpayer dollars are being used for a project Trump repeatedly described as donor-funded.

Democrats challenge ballroom funding claims

According to Democrats on the Senate Budget Committee, the White House Office of Management and Budget quietly redirected more than $350 million late Friday from two Secret Service accounts that Congress intended for hiring and training after last year's assassination attempts against Trump, according to an AP report. 

The reallocation came days after Congress rejected a $1 billion White House funding request tied to the ballroom project, and while the development remains entangled in legal challenges, the report said.

Sen Jeff Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee, accused Trump of breaking a promise made to the public.

"After repeatedly telling the American people that zero taxpayer dollars would be spent on his gold-plated ballroom boondoggle, now Trump appears to be using a smoke and mirrors tactic," Merkley said in a statement.

Merkley went further, calling Trump's actions potentially unlawful.

"Trump has proven that he can't be trusted to follow the law," he said. "He only cares about wasting taxpayer money on his vanity projects."

Chuck Grassley says public expects private funding

The funding shift also appeared to catch some lawmakers by surprise.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, whose panel originally drafted the security funding, said that he was unaware of the allocations.

"The president said that it was all going to be paid for with private money," Grassley said. "And that's what the country expects."

The money comes from Trump's tax cuts and spending law, which provided more than $1 billion for Secret Service resources, including personnel, training facilities, technology, and retention bonuses, the report said.

Democrats noted they did not oppose that specific Secret Service funding provision when Congress considered the broader legislation.

White House defends security spending

The White House rejected suggestions that taxpayer funds are paying for the ballroom itself.

White House spokesman Davis R Ingle said the project's security components have always been linked to the broader development plan.

"The East Wing Modernization Project is inextricably tied to the security of the President, the White House grounds, and certain security infrastructure assets," Ingle said.

He also defended the financing arrangement.

"President Trump and generous American patriots are funding the ballroom to the tune of approximately $400 million, which will be a secure and appropriate venue for Presidents for generations to come," Ingle said.

Government lawyers have argued in court that the project includes extensive security upgrades, including protections against drones and missiles.

Court filings say the East Wing project would include bomb shelters, military installations, and a medical facility beneath the ballroom.

Secret Service documents provided to senators showed that $220 million of the White House's rejected funding request would have gone toward hardening the ballroom addition with bulletproof glass, drone detection systems, and other security measures.