ICYMI: Dexter Slams Burgum Over Billion-Dollar National Park Cuts as Trump Pursues Billion-Dollar Ballroom

May 13, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03), the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, pressed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum during a full committee hearing on whether he objected to Trump’s decision to pursue a $1 billion East Wing ballroom renovation while the National Park Service is facing a $1 billion cut. “Secretary, your budget cuts the National Park Service by $1 billion, a 32% cut. If you put this $1 billion towards our national parks instead of Trump's ballroom, you could avoid that cut. That would benefit every single American. Mr. Secretary, at any time, did you object to this level of spending for the ballroom?” Dexter pressed. “When is it enough? At what point do you tell Trump no…How many rangers need to lose their jobs before you stand up to these vanity project investments?” Dexter also questioned Secretary Burgum on whether he would commit to firing Dr. Jenifer Chatfield, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks if an investigation reveals she violated federal ethics laws. Dexter and Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA) have called for an investigation by the Office of Inspector General into whether Chatfield has abused her position to benefit her family's captive wildlife business. Watch Dexter’s entire line of questioning here. ###