Trump Administration Redirects Secret Service Funds to White House Ballroom, Sparking Scrutiny

The Trump administration quietly redirected about $352 million from Secret Service funds toward the White House’s East Wing Modernization ballroom, arguing the project is a security upgrade. Congress had refused private funding, and the funds were shifted from accounts designated for procurement/construction and operations and support under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Estimates for the project have grown, with some reports suggesting total costs could reach $600 million, while watchdogs raise concerns about the influence of private contributions and ongoing legal challenges to the demolition of the East Wing.