By Ronald J. Hansen | Arizona Republic
Several of Arizona’s congressional Democrats are denouncing a $3 million contract given to a former Trump administration official who has provided substandard or defective respirator masks to the Navajo Nation, calling for an investigation of the matter.
Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., who chairs a House subcommittee on indigenous people, said the contract, given to a former staffer who set up a company less than two weeks before winning the deal, is reflective of a larger issue.
“It’s symptomatic of two big problems with this administration. No. 1, their treatment of our Native American communities. Since this administration got here, they have been the most anti-Native American administration in modern times,” Gallego said. “But two, the corruption that exists within the Trump administration. For somebody who has zero experience with (personal protective equipment) and has zero experience with government contracting, … shows you a bigger problem.”
