Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Wednesday defended President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to renovate property on the National Mall, build a triumphal arch in Virginia and construct a major new addition to the White House.
At a hearing of the Natural Resources Committee, Burgum told House members that the White House’s plans for an expanded ballroom — along with $1 billion that Senate Republicans have earmarked for the project — was needed for enhanced security.
He disputed Democrats’ claims that the ballroom and other projects are being built in service of President Donald Trump’s ego.
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“Teddy Roosevelt tore stuff down to build the West Wing. Were those vanity projects?” Burgum asked.
