Democrats Slam Trump's "Vanity Projects" in Shadow Hearing

Congressional Democrats convened a "shadow hearing" Tuesday, directing sharp criticism at President Trump's construction projects across Washington. The hearing, which Republicans declined to attend, focused on what lawmakers described as the president's "vanity projects."

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We are experiencing unprecedented corruption in plain sight.

Lawmakers and witnesses accused Trump of undermining democratic norms and prioritizing his personal image through various construction endeavors, including the East Wing renovation and a triumphal arch. Norm Eisen, a former ethics lawyer for the Obama White House, labeled the situation "unprecedented corruption in plain sight," while Rep. Robert Garcia of California declared, "The biggest vandal in Washington, D.C., is the president of the United States."

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The biggest vandal in Washington, D.C., is the president of the United States.

The hearing highlighted concerns over no-bid contracts used to expedite projects like the White House ballroom and the Reflecting Pool renovation. One contract was awarded to a company owned by a political donor and associate of Trump. Jon Golinger, a lawyer with the advocacy group Public Citizen, warned that "government contracts are juicy targets for thieves," though no court has yet found violations of contracting laws.

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Government contracts are juicy targets for thieves.

The event, led by Garcia and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, had a rally-like atmosphere, with attendees applauding speakers. Blumenthal remarked on the "refreshing, inspiring" nature of the audience's approval. The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the allegations. Democrats also raised potential conflicts of interest between donors to Trump's private projects and the administration's official actions.

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Ordinarily we would have a presiding officer sternly gaveling down the applause, but actually there's something very refreshing, inspiring about your approval.