LEVERAGING THE WHITE HOUSEThree ruffles and flourishes. The squeak of a Sharpie. The theatrically lit Rose Garden.Trump sought to leverage the full weight of the presidency behind his reelection effort, as he blended official acts and campaigning.In the convention’s first half-hour, the convention aired a video featuring Trump signing a pardon for Jon Ponder, an ex-convict who now runs an acclaimed prisoner reentry program.
Later, military aides opened the doors to the White House Cross Hall as “Hail to the Chief” played before Trump presided over a naturalization ceremony for new Americans.