The U.S. Capital is Decorated with Portraits of Trump

Democrats are talking about authoritarianism and suspect misappropriation of funds.

Large banners with a portrait of President Donald Trump have appeared on three federal buildings in Washington, D.C. The National Guard’s checkpoints, which continue to serve in the capital, add a sense of severity to the image (with Trump squinting grimly in the portraits).

Democrats are outraged. In their opinion, this is another symbolic step towards authoritarianism. For example, Democratic Congressman Hank Johnson said in an interview with a CNN correspondent: “When I saw the banners hanging on the federal buildings, it reminded me of the [Chinese Communist] Party. These banners on the federal buildings are completely inappropriate and a step towards authoritarianism. This is yet another indication that we are moving towards authoritarianism in this country.”

But the Democrats didn’t stop there. Congressman Adam Schiff claimed that federal funds were misappropriated for the banners. According to the congressman’s report, at least $50,000 of taxpayer funds were spent on “propaganda purposes.” The Department of Agriculture spent $16,400, the Department of Health and Human Services spent $33,726, and the Department of Labor spent around $6,000.

But Republican lawmakers argue that similar advertising campaigns were carried out during the previous Democratic administration. They pointed to taxpayer-funded signs that mentioned then-President Joe Biden in connection with federal projects, such as his infrastructure law.

This raised the question of whether Democrats expressed concerns when they placed banners with their agenda. “I don’t remember that happening,” said Barry Loudermilk, a Republican member of the Georgia House of Representatives. “Why such double standards?”