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Democrat wants Trump to pay if ‘authoritarian-style’ July 4 event damages infrastructure
Washington,
July 8, 2019
Tags:
Oversight
Roll Call |
President Donald Trump should pay out of his own pocket for any infrastructure damage incurred by rolling 70-ton tanks onto the National Mall, according to the Democratic congressman who represents the D.C. suburbs in Virginia. Rep. Don Beyer described Trump’s plan to showcase tanks during the city’s Fourth of July celebration as “an authoritarian-style marshal display” in a statement Tuesday. He called on the president to reach into his own pocket if D.C. streets or bridges require repairs from having to handle the massive vehicles. “Since President Trump is turning the region’s beloved annual tradition into a campaign event focused on himself, he should personally reimburse U.S. taxpayers and local governments for any damage to local infrastructure,” Beyer said. Armored vehicles were transported from Fort Stewart in Georgia earlier this week and stored on railroad tracks in Southeast D.C. They lumbered over the Potomac and past Nationals Park on massive flatbed trailers Tuesday night before being hauled onto the National Mall, according to press reports and posts on social media. “We have to make sure we’re not making a huge national infrastructure problem worse by this essentially vainglorious display of his own need for celebrity,” Beyer elaborated in an interview with CNN Tuesday morning, reiterating his call for Trump to foot the bill. “Although, don’t expect it,” Beyer said. The Democrat, who grew up in the area around Washington, also pointed out during his interview that the Trump administration still owes millions in overdue costs to the District of Columbia for the 2017 inauguration ceremony. |