As the Obama Presidential Center officially opens its doors in Chicago after years of planning, legal battles, and construction, not everyone is treating the moment as a victory lap.

During a Friday appearance on Newsmax’s “Wake Up America,” Oklahoma Republican lieutenant governor nominee T.W. Shannon criticized the project and argued that attention should also be given to concerns surrounding voter identification, community impact, and reports involving unpaid contractors.

The opening of the center marks the completion of a major development project on Chicago’s South Side, an initiative supporters have promoted as a significant investment in the area and a long-term boost for the surrounding community.

But critics have pointed to a different set of concerns.

Shannon argued that unresolved questions deserve answers and suggested that reports involving contractors should not simply disappear beneath ribbon-cutting ceremonies and celebratory headlines. Because apparently in modern politics, once a building opens, everyone is expected to stop asking questions.

Beyond contractor concerns, criticism surrounding the project has also included worries about rising housing costs, displacement, and the broader effect on surrounding neighborhoods.

Supporters continue to describe the center as a transformative investment for Chicago’s South Side, while opponents argue that public discussion should include both the benefits and the concerns raised throughout the process.

As attention turns toward the future of the project, Shannon’s comments reflect a broader argument that large public developments—and the leaders associated with them—should remain open to public scrutiny even after the grand opening photos are taken.

For those who believe accountability should not end once construction does, the debate surrounding the Obama Presidential Center appears far from over.