A pair of Democrats bashed a GOP strategist on CNN on Tuesday night after the strategist defended President Donald Trump's ballroom renovation project at the White House, which they argued needed more oversight.
Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) and Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) joined CNN's "NewsNight with Abby Phillip" to discuss the government shutdown and Trump's decision to undertake a significant renovation project while Congress is out of session. The ballroom project was initially projected to cost $200 million, paid for by private funds, including Trump's, but reports indicate that estimate has swelled to more than $300 million.
Host Abby Phillip asked GOP strategist Tim Parrish whether Trump should be more forthcoming with the American people about who is funding the ballroom project. Parrish demurred, arguing that more information was needed.
"A big theme that we're going to talk about tonight, and about this administration, is that there is just no oversight," Suozzi said, adding that he would like to see the administration take a more normal "process" with the renovation.
Parrish argued that Trump shouldn't have to disclose the information because it's being paid for by private funds.
"So, there's no ethical conflict here?" Suozzi asked pointedly.
"There are ethical conflicts for everybody," Parrish said. "And to follow your line of thinking, we shouldn't assume they exist."
Parrish's comment caused Jacobs to erupt.
"That's not how ethics works!" she yelled at Parrish.