Trump officials say they can build 250-foot arch without Congress's approval
Source: Washington Post
Trump officials say they can build 250-foot arch without Congress's approval
To build a triumphal arch near Arlington Cemetery, the administration hopes to rely on a 100-year-old authorization for a different project on the site.
May 20, 2026 at 4:53 p.m. EDT
Workers take measurements on May 15 at Memorial Circle, the proposed site for President Donald Trumps triumphal arch. (Kylie Cooper/Reuters)
By Dan Diamond
https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/dan-diamond/
The Trump administration does not plan to seek approval from Congress for President Donald Trumps planned 250-foot arch, arguing that they do not need it because lawmakers a century ago authorized a somewhat similar project that was never built.
{snip}
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/05/20/trump-officials-plan-build-arch-without-congressional-authorization/
Reposted by Popehat Likes The Triangles
https://bsky.app/profile/kenwhite.bsky.social
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The Washington Post
@washingtonpost.com
Breaking news: The Trump administration does not plan to seek approval from Congress for President Trumps planned 250-foot arch, arguing that they do not need it because lawmakers a century ago authorized a somewhat similar project that was never built.
Trump officials say they can build 250-foot arch without Congresss okay
The administration say they are building on a project authorized by Congress a century ago. Lawyers and Democrats said the argument is an attempt to evade federal law.
www.washingtonpost.com
5:05 PM · May 20, 2026
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Breaking news: The Trump administration does not plan to seek approval from Congress for President Trumpâs planned 250-foot arch, arguing that they do not need it because lawmakers a century ago authorized a somewhat similar project that was never built.
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost.com) 2026-05-20T21:05:03.815727981Z
Lovie777
(23,765 posts)vanity bullshit.
PatSeg
(53,573 posts)throughout the world has done similar things. What kind of a hole in their life creates such a weird and temporary vanity need? Maybe it is some bizarre need for immortality?
So often it comes across as something out of a cartoon or comic book. All those super cartoon villains we watched scream "And then I'll rule the world!" Of course, no normal person took such ridiculous villains seriously, but maybe little boys like Donnie thought it was realistic.
Karasu
(2,091 posts)no_hypocrisy
(55,404 posts)Irish_Dem
(82,391 posts)no_hypocrisy
(55,404 posts)that order could threaten construction with contempt of court if they continue.
Irish_Dem
(82,391 posts)He commits much worse crimes every day and no one cares.
no_hypocrisy
(55,404 posts)They're the target of the restraining order and injunction. If they keep on working despite the court's ruling, they get fined "bigly".
louis-t
(24,654 posts)And then wouldn't.
Irish_Dem
(82,391 posts)$Millions of dollars.
Some people will gladly do it for him.
You and I are the ones paying these criminals.
PatSeg
(53,573 posts)Irish_Dem
(82,391 posts)PatSeg
(53,573 posts)Irish_Dem
(82,391 posts)Except Putin is the top mob boss.
Response to Irish_Dem (Reply #14)
PatSeg This message was self-deleted by its author.
Deuxcents
(27,726 posts)orangecrush
(31,187 posts)in2herbs
(4,546 posts)GiqueCee
(4,769 posts)... the White House, having been built long before such regulations were enacted, is essentially grandfathered in.
liberalgunwilltravel
(1,256 posts)The way to stop this travesty is to make it clear that anyone's safety working on this project cannot be guaranteed. Any contractor or worker involved with the project should feel the full wrath of the people being disrespected by this criminal administration. I am sorry. But those supporting Trump's crimes should be treated as the Confederates in our first Civil War.
walkingman
(11,166 posts)Klarkashton
(5,423 posts)The trump carp and data centers are really pushing the public over the edge.
ultralite001
(2,685 posts)tanyev
(49,698 posts)😒
Goonch
(5,603 posts)
dlk
(13,345 posts)What a class act!
Buddyzbuddy
(2,917 posts)therefore requiring each subsequent Congress since to re-authorize it? After all, it's not a law.
I readily admit, I don't know the answer and it's only a theory.
GiqueCee
(4,769 posts)... but, like you, I'm not sure. Gives me something to research.
republianmushroom
(22,742 posts)BeneteauBum
(785 posts)I wonder how many MAGAT children have tRump as part of their name.
☮️
MLWR
(1,082 posts)but we, the People, can tear done whatever we want as well.
LisaM
(29,688 posts)That tracks.
paleotn
(22,759 posts)Wiz Imp
(10,453 posts)The only way the previous project being approved matters is if they build to the exact same specifications which were approved a hundred years ago. They can't change anything.
travelingthrulife
(5,604 posts)BidenRocks
(3,503 posts)How do you get around that fact!
We the people are the HOA!
Whip-poor-will
(518 posts)Didn't we own that ?
Warpy
(114,685 posts)Most likely it';s just a stupid proposal they put out to take the heat off the Epstein Ballroom not being funded at plutocrat expense.
travelingthrulife
(5,604 posts)Warpy
(114,685 posts)against sticking us with the bill for the destruction of the East Wing and its replacement with the Epstein Ballroom. I sincerely doubt the bill for this boondoggle will get passed on to taxpayers. Most likely it will never get off the drawing board, if it makes it that far out of Fatso's fevered imagination.
Bayard
(30,312 posts)No money, no Golden Arches, or whatever the hell he has in mind now.
bluestateboomer
(556 posts)Every Dem running must pledge to tear down every F@#$%^g thing he's building as soon as they're in office. We shouldn't need any permission. The East Wing hole is proof of that.
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