How $1 Billion Could Fund Law Enforcement Instead of Trump’s Ballroom

WASHINGTON – During National Police Week, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) released the following report outlining how the $1 billion in taxpayer dollars to pay for Donald Trump’s ballroom project could instead be used to fund several federal programs that would support hiring and training for law enforcement agencies across the country, and benefits programs for officers and their families. “Taxpayer dollars should be directed toward the priorities that matter most to Americans – not Donald Trump’s extravagant vanity projects,” said the senators . “One billion dollars could be spent helping local governments hire and train law enforcement officers, supporting first responders, and strengthening public safety. Instead, Republicans in Congress are preparing to put it towards a ballroom.” Last week, Warner and Kaine released data on the many ways $1 billion could help Virginians instead of funding Trump’s ballroom – including a year’s worth of groceries for nearly 120,000 Virginia families, rent for more than 46,000 Virginia households, or child care for nearly 60,000 Virginia infants. Below are estimates of what $1 billion in funding for Trump’s ballroom could do for crucial law enforcement programs instead: COPS Hiring Program: $1 billion could fund nearly four years of the COPS Hiring Program . In Fiscal Year 2026, over $250 million was appropriated for this program, which is designed to provide funding directly to local law enforcement agencies to hire and/or retain officers and support community policing efforts. Public Safety Officer Benefits Program: $1 billion could fully fund four years of the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program . In Fiscal Year 2026, $236 million was appropriated for this program, which provides death and education benefits to survivors of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders, and disability benefits to officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program: $1 billion could fund a full year of the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants . This program is the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions, and provides flexible funding to support personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems for criminal justice or civil proceedings, for a multitude of programs, including: Law enforcement; Prevention and Education; Corrections; Drug treatment; Witness protection; and Mental health and behavioral programs. ###