A senator is demanding answers over whether $415million diverted from the Secret Service to White House projects and including Trump's ballroom.
Sen. Maggie Hassan wants answers from the Secret Service.
Sept. 24 2026, Published 7:50 p.m. ET

Sen. Maggie Hassan wants answers on whether the funding shift impacted Trump's protection.
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The New Hampshire Democrat specifically wants the agency to reveal whether losing the funds has affected its protective duties, including any "reductions or discontinuation of protection" for officials, including the president himself.
The demand comes as the Secret Service is already grappling with significant staffing and resource pressures.
Hassan's letter points to a June Department of Homeland Security Inspector General report that found the agency was struggling with "burnout and attrition" and warned that operational deficiencies could jeopardize the safety of people under Secret Service protection.
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$415million in Secret Service funds was reportedly redirected to White House construction.
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The senator also noted that Curran told Congress in April that the agency needed additional resources to deal with an "elevated threat environment and increased operational tempo." By July, Curran described the threat environment as "off the charts" and the most challenging he had ever seen.
Agents have opened approximately 10,000 protective cases since January, about 40 percent more than during the same period last year, according to Hassan's letter.
Hassan cited reporting that $415million in Secret Service funds had been redirected toward White House construction and renovation, including the ballroom — accounting for nearly half of its projected $927million total cost.
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The diverted funds had been intended for additional agency resources.
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At least $396million reportedly came from a $1.17billion congressional appropriation intended for additional Secret Service resources. The legislation specified the money could be used for personnel, training facilities, programming and technology, as well as bonuses for agents.
Hassan is now asking the agency to detail exactly how it planned to use the $415million before it was diverted. The potential fallout extends beyond presidential protection.
The Secret Service also investigates cyberfraud, scams, and money laundering. Hassan wants to know whether the funding shift resulted in terminated or disrupted investigations, reductions in personnel or investigative hours, or limits on access to technology and equipment.
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The senator has ordered the Secret Service to provide answers.
In fiscal year 2025, the agency recovered more than $751million in losses connected to cyber-enabled financial crime, arrested more than 700 people and responded to more than 600 network intrusions, according to the letter.
Hassan is also pressing for information about who knew what — and when.
She asked whether the Secret Service received advance notice from the Office of Management and Budget before the money was redirected and demanded copies of correspondence between the agency, OMB, and other relevant White House offices.
The senator has ordered the Secret Service to provide answers no later than October 15.
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