Trump's Administration Redirects $352M in Federal Funds, Sparking Outrage

WHO:

Alternet - Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) stated that Trump “was just flat out lying when he said the taxpayers will not pay a dime for his ballroom.”

Alternet - Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.) criticized the GOP’s 2025 budget law for “kicking 4.3 million people off SNAP and 5 million people off [Affordable Care Act] health insurance coverage.”

Alternet - Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.), and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.).

Alternet - A White House spokesperson.

WHAT:

Alternet - The ballroom project costs have reportedly ballooned to $600 million, according to Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.).

Alternet - The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) redirected $352 million from the US Secret Service budget.

Alternet - The redirected funds were originally earmarked for training and recruitment but will now be used for White House security measures related to the construction of a luxury ballroom.

Alternet - Sen. Merkley expressed concern that funds intended for Secret Service agents are being spent on what he termed a "vanity project."

Alternet - Rep. Krishnamoorthi criticized Trump for using taxpayer money for the ballroom instead of funding essential programs.

WHERE:

Alternet - The funds are associated with the White House and the US Secret Service.

WHY:

Alternet - Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi contrasted Trump’s spending on the ballroom with cuts to vital healthcare and food assistance programs.

Alternet - The White House spokesperson claimed that the East Wing Modernization Project is tied to the security of the president and the White House grounds.

HOW:

Alternet - An insider familiar with the process indicated that the redirected funds were related to the construction of the ballroom.

Alternet - The funds were shifted through budget maneuvering by the White House OMB.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 23:35 UTC)

Senator Chris Coons has accused Trump of lying about taxpayers not footing the bill for his ballroom project, which has reportedly soared to a staggering $600 million, according to Representative Jamie Raskin. Meanwhile, Representative Jonathan Jackson criticized the GOP's 2025 budget law for potentially cutting 4.3 million people off SNAP and 5 million from Affordable Care Act health insurance coverage. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi highlighted the stark contrast between Trump's extravagant spending on the ballroom and the cuts to essential healthcare and food assistance programs.

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(UPDATED June 18, 2026 21:43 UTC)

Democratic lawmakers, including Senators Jeff Merkley and Chris Coons, along with Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Jonathan Jackson, and Jamie Raskin, are raising concerns over the White House Office of Management and Budget's decision to redirect $352 million from the Secret Service budget. The funds, originally intended for training and recruitment, will now be used for security measures related to the construction of a luxury ballroom, which Sen. Merkley has labeled a "vanity project." A White House spokesperson defended the move, stating that the East Wing Modernization Project is essential for the security of the president and the White House grounds.