Democrats Were Enthusiastic About Politicizing The Fine Arts Commission Until Trump Followed Their Lead

October 30, 2025

Not Suitable for Printing

Hey everyone, welcome back to another edition of ‘Not Suitable for Printing.’ So, here we go again—Trump’s stepping out of line! Well, to be fair, the Democrats were the trendsetters on that front.

Just so you know, I’ve transitioned over to Substack. If you’re interested in subscribing or continuing your subscription, it’s totally free!

Artistic Controversy

Washington Post journalist Dan Diamond has an intriguing scoop. President Donald Trump has dismissed all six members of the Fine Arts Commission, which was set to evaluate designs for a new White House ballroom and an Arc de Triomphe. Diamond describes this commission as “independent” and mentions that it typically comprises a blend of architects and urban planners.

Interestingly, Democrats have been vocal about this decision, including Maine Rep. Cherry Pingree, who expressed disbelief, shouting, “He has now fired the gatekeeper…We must fight back. This is the people’s house!”

However, digging a bit deeper into the report reveals a different narrative. Diamond points out that President Joe Biden appointed these commissioners to their four-year terms, with some expected to last until 2028. So, if this commission is really independent, how then could Biden fill it? Right, it’s interesting how that works out.

As it turns out, if you read further, you’ll find this kind of action isn’t new. During his first term, Biden also dismissed commissioners appointed by Trump. The argument at the time was…to increase diversity. It’s kind of ironic, right? If the person getting the boot is white, it seems there’s justification.

Back in 2021, Biden’s dismissals drew praise from various entities like the Fine Arts Commission itself, even though it led to claims that he was politicizing the commission’s work. Critics pointed out that this was the first instance of a president forcibly removing a sitting member.

There was even pressure from D.C. officials suggesting that Biden terminate more Trump appointees, with Vice Mayor John Falcicchio highlighting concerns about racial and economic equity, among other issues.

Falcicchio noted that the art commission was predominantly comprised of “white men appointed by President Trump” and leaned towards neoclassical design instead of more modern aesthetics.

The firings extended to notable figures, including Justin Shubow, who is the Jewish president of the Commission of Fine Arts and an architectural critic. Other dismissed members included highly regarded architects and landscape designers.

Interestingly, Biden retained only two members appointed by Trump until his presidency concluded in 2024. One of them is architect James McCreary, who also oversees the ballroom project.

Shubow cautioned that Biden’s actions could set a dangerous precedent. He remarked that the treatment of commissioners as political appointees could lead to future administrations replacing entire commissions right after taking office.

To contrast, Trump waited a good ten months to remove Biden’s appointees. There’s also the note that former CFA chairman Billy Tsien resigned voluntarily at the beginning of Trump’s term, wanting to help with the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. Go take a look—it’s pretty intriguing.

Another note on Biden’s appointees: they brought in people from diverse backgrounds, including those who contributed to the National Museum of African American History and Culture and others with unique design qualifications.