00:00Donald Trump has appointed his longtime executive assistant, Chamberlain Harris,
00:03to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, the federal body responsible for reviewing architectural and
00:08design proposals in Washington, D.C., including plans for a new White House ballroom. According
00:13to The Washington Post, Harris, 26, is scheduled to be sworn in this week. She does not have a
00:18professional background in the arts. Harris earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 2019
00:23from University at Albany with minors in communications and economics. Harris later
00:27joined the Trump White House's Office of Administration and became a receptionist in
00:31September 2020. She continued working with Trump following the 2020 election and currently serves
00:36as Deputy Director of Oval Office Operations during his second term. Congress established the Commission
00:41of Fine Arts more than a century ago to provide expert advice on major projects affecting the
00:45Capitol's historic and architectural landscape. Former commissioners told The Post that Harris
00:50appears to have less prior arts experience than previous members. Her commission profile states
00:54that she managed Trump's presidential portrait project in coordination with the Smithsonian
00:58institution. Trump dismissed all six members of the commission in October and has since appointed
01:02new members. The panel is reviewing his proposed $400 million White House ballroom and other projects,
01:07including a planned $100 million triumphal arch. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has filed a
01:13lawsuit challenging the ballroom project, arguing that proper review procedures were not followed. The case is
01:18before U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, who has not yet issued a ruling. Drop your thoughts in the comments
01:23and don't forget to like for more breaking political news.
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