Trump criticised for ‘terrifying’ use of White House as ‘political prop’

The president openly pointed to the ‘people’s house’ and boasted about living there to a standing ovation

As Donald Trump wrapped up the Republican convention with his speech accepting the party’s nomination, the already intense criticism of his decision to hold the event at the White House reached a new pitch.

And even with the legality of the convention under scrutiny, many onlookers were shocked at just how openly the president referred to the presidential house as evidence of his own supremacy.

“This November, we must turn the page forever on this failed political class,” he said at one point. “The fact is, I’m here” – he pointed behind him as the audience clapped and hooted – “what’s the name of that building? But I’ll say it differently: the fact is, we’re here and they’re not.”

The line brought him a standing ovation. “To me, one of the most beautiful buildings in the world – and it’s not a building, it’s a home, as far as I’m concerned. Not even a house, it’s a home.”

Precisely what Mr Trump meant by distinguishing between “house” and “home” was unclear, but the sheer spectacle of a president delivering such a political address in front of the White House appalled and disgusted many of his viewers.

“Trump rubs our noses in the fact he’s using the White House as a political prop,” wrote Vox journalist Aaron Rupar. He quoted a statement from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington that called the display “terrifying”, pointing out that “history is littered with totalitarians who used their government as political props”.

Walter Schaub, a former director of the Office of Government Ethics, said the White House speech "may be the most visible misuse of official position for private gain in America’s history".

Others were more glib. As Democratic senator and former presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar put it: “Get off our lawn.”

Besides the question of symbolism, the legality of the convention has been called into question. Many critics have pointed out that various of its events may have breached the Hatch Act – a law meant to prevent federal employees from participating in political events while supposedly at work.

Because many White House employees are paid by the federal government, there are questions about whether their participation in simply helping the convention go ahead could violate the act’s terms.

After a convention event earlier this week that saw action homeland security Chad Wolf participate in a naturalisation ceremony alongside the president, CNN reported that the Department of Homeland Security itself issued a warning to employees that some of them are prohibited from participating in partisan activities – and that they must make sure to avoid doing so at a time of “heightened scrutiny”.

The political ritual of Mr Trump’s speech, however, dominated the critical reaction to the convention on Thursday night.

Jane Recker, assistant editor of Washingtonian magazine, tweeted a series of pictures from protests outside the White House as Mr Trump spoke. As fireworks spelling out “Trump” and “2020” lit up the Washington Monument, she reported the reaction on the street: “One woman commented ‘it looks like the end of the world.’”