Secret Service funds redirected to White House security for East Wing modernization
The Trump administration’s budget office redirected about $352 million from the Secret Service’s budget to ‘White House Security Measures’ tied to the East Wing Modernization, including a ballroom. White House officials offered few details beyond security needs, while lawmakers from both parties criticized diverting security funds to a presidential project. The move occurs under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and comes amid reporting that the East Wing’s total cost could be higher than Trump’s private-donation claims, with a substantial taxpayer share; supporters say the security upgrades are necessary, opponents view it as prioritizing a vanity project over agents’ resources.