WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senate Democrats held an unofficial hearing on President Trump's construction projects on July 21, 2026. The session examined allegations of corruption involving no-bid contracts and renovations at the White House and the Reflecting Pool.

Representative Robert Garcia and Senator Richard Blumenthal led the proceedings, which took place in a Senate hearing room where Democratic lawmakers sat at temporary tables on the floor. Republicans did not participate, and the event was not part of official congressional business. D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton attended the session alongside other members of the minority party.

"The biggest vandal in Washington, D.C., is the president of the United States," Garcia said. "We are experiencing unprecedented corruption in plain sight," said Norm Eisen, a witness at the hearing. Eisen is a former ethics lawyer for the Obama White House who currently represents a man accused of damaging the Reflecting Pool.

The Trump administration used no-bid contracts for construction projects including the White House ballroom and the Reflecting Pool renovation. A contract for the Reflecting Pool renovation went to a water filtration company owned by a political donor and neighbor of President Trump. The Reflecting Pool has been drained and is undergoing repairs. A Washington Post analysis found that installation failures caused damage to the Reflecting Pool.

Jon Golinger, a lawyer for the advocacy group Public Citizen, also testified at the hearing. "Government contracts are juicy targets for thieves," Golinger said. No court has found that the Trump administration violated government contracting laws. Senate Democrats have multiple ongoing investigations into the financing and contracts tied to the White House ballroom and other Trump-led projects.

Democrats lack the ability to compel the Trump administration to disclose details regarding the projects because Republicans hold majorities in both chambers of Congress. "Ordinarily we would have a presiding officer sternly gaveling down the applause, but actually there's something very refreshing, inspiring about your approval," Blumenthal said. "We will use that subpoena power if we are fortunate enough to have it next year," he added.

Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi testified at the hearing regarding the scope of the projects. "It's one man's vanity over the priorities of the American people," Krishnamoorthi said. The hearing also addressed concerns about the Kennedy Center, where President Trump served as chairman of the board. Ben Folds, a musician who held an advisory role with the National Symphony Orchestra until early 2025, testified about changes at the institution.

Folds said the Kennedy Center was in a golden age before President Trump became chairman of its board. Artists canceled shows at the Kennedy Center during his tenure. President Trump briefly added his name to the Kennedy Center building.

The Kennedy Center board announced a plan to close the performing arts center for two years for renovations. "When you politicize art, you've got propaganda," Folds said.

The hearing showed the inability of Senate Democrats to conduct formal oversight while Republicans control both chambers of Congress. Without subpoena power, the minority party cannot force the Trump administration to release documents regarding no-bid contracts or financing details for the White House ballroom and other projects. The event served as a platform for critics to present evidence of potential conflicts of interest, such as the Reflecting Pool contract awarded to a donor and neighbor.

Multiple ongoing investigations into these projects continue despite the lack of formal congressional authority. The allegations extend beyond construction to cultural institutions, with testimony detailing the impact of Trump's leadership at the Kennedy Center. The proceedings reflected the political divide over government spending and the use of presidential influence in private and public sectors.