Sen. Ruben Gallego’s Views on Trump’s Impact

During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Senator Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona, expressed that if he were to become president, he would aim to reverse all of President Donald Trump’s initiatives in Washington, D.C.

Interviewer Jake Tapper pointed out that Trump is significantly influencing the capital, mentioning plans for a White House ballroom, an arch, and renaming various landmarks including the Kennedy Center and the reflecting pool. He remarked that these actions are likely to become major talking points for Democrats in the upcoming 2028 presidential campaign. While acknowledging that Gallego hasn’t declared his candidacy yet, Tapper inquired whether he would support demolishing the ballroom and the arch.

Gallego responded, “I would advocate for nearly all of that. The major issue at hand is the way this president has damaged democracy. Look at January 6th—it’s unprecedented for a sitting U.S. president to attempt a coup. That’s a key reason why there shouldn’t be anything named in his honor. Additionally, he has undermined institutions, like the Department of Justice, that are vital to our government, and we need to dismantle these tributes to him. The effort to tarnish the Kennedy Center, a symbol of substantial contributions to this nation, by replacing it with his name—given all he has done to harm the country—is another compelling reason to erase his legacy. This isn’t about my personal feelings toward Donald Trump; it stems from the impact he has had on the nation. As someone who often visits friends in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, having such an eyesore near a sacred site is troubling.”

Tapper interjected, “What about the arch?”

Gallego reiterated, “The arch is yet another part of this. This man, through his actions, has fundamentally threatened the very principles that those who fought for this country stood for—a continuous democracy.”