JFK's grandson, Jack Schlossberg, has launched a campaign bid to tackle Donald Trump.
The only grandson of late president John F. Kennedy launched his bid for a New York City congressional seat and warned that America "is in crisis" under the Republican Party. In a speech confirming his entry into the Democratic primary to succeed Rep. Jerrold Nadler, Schlossberg hit out at the president and called for a "new generation of leaders."
In his statement, the 32-year-old Democrat hopeful said Trump is "using his power to suspend civil rights, silence dissent, and send armed forces into our cities." Schlossberg called on the Democratic Party to "elect a new generation of leaders" and said they must "win back the House of Representatives."
Schlossberg had denounced Trump's East Wing renovation of the White House before announcing his run for the New York City congressional seat. Asked about the planned ballroom extension, which would replace the gardens planted by his grandmother, Schlossberg said it's "not terrible to redo things."
He added, "We should update it — but that’s not what’s going on here. It’s a ballroom being built with billion-dollar donations from the largest, most powerful companies, and you can tell where Trump’s interests lie. And to me, it was like, oh, he’s definitely going to try to stay. He is rebuilding the White House. He’s not going anywhere unless he is removed."
Schlossberg went on to contrast his grandmother, Jackie Kennedy, and Trump's current plans for the White House. He said, "My grandmother saw America in full color — Trump sees black and white. Where she planted flowers, he poured concrete. She brought life to the White House, because our landmarks should inspire and grow with our country."
Construction of a ballroom for the White House was confirmed on July 31. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles said at the time, "President Trump is a builder at heart and has an extraordinary eye for detail."
"The President and the Trump White House are fully committed to working with the appropriate organizations to preserving the special history of the White House while building a beautiful ballroom that can be enjoyed by future Administrations and generations of Americans to come."
