Ahead of Trump’s Visit, the Federal Reserve Invites Journalists to Tour Headquarters Renovation

According to a report by Jinse Finance, Federal Reserve staff led journalists on a tour of the $2.5 billion renovation project at the Fed’s headquarters, just hours before U.S. President Trump was set to visit the site—a project he and his allies have criticized as wasteful and extravagant. In recent weeks, Trump and other Republicans have ramped up pressure on Fed Chair Jerome Powell over the renovation, questioning the project’s ever-increasing budget and scrutinizing Powell’s Senate testimony last month regarding the refurbishment. Fed staff said Thursday’s tour gave reporters a look inside the construction site, where about 700 to 800 workers rotate shifts each day. Journalists also visited the roof of the Eccles Building. Republicans have raised concerns about a document from the National Capital Planning Commission related to the renovation, which mentioned a “rooftop garden terrace” intended to provide a break area for Fed employees.