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mahatmakanejeeves

(70,787 posts)
Wed May 20, 2026, 05:47 PM Yesterday

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 Trump’s 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 Trump’s 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

******
The Washington Post
‪@washingtonpost.com‬

Breaking news: The Trump administration does not plan to seek approval from Congress for President Trump’s 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 Congress’s 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
******

Breaking news: The Trump administration does not plan to seek approval from Congress for President Trump’s 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
42 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Trump officials say they can build 250-foot arch without Congress's approval (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Yesterday OP
Can these asshole stop with all the.... Lovie777 Yesterday #1
Pretty much every authoritarian leader PatSeg 23 hrs ago #12
It's a hallmark of fascism. Comes with the territory. Karasu 23 hrs ago #19
Some judge is going to rule otherwise. no_hypocrisy Yesterday #2
Trump doesn't have to follow court orders. Irish_Dem Yesterday #4
If there were a temporary restraining order, followed by a permanent injunction, no_hypocrisy Yesterday #5
Why would Trump care about contempt charges? Irish_Dem 23 hrs ago #16
*HE* might not care, but the contractors and workers would care. no_hypocrisy 22 hrs ago #22
But he would 'promise' to pay their fines. louis-t 21 hrs ago #27
Trump now pays people to commit crimes for him. Irish_Dem 21 hrs ago #28
Yeah, Putin doesn't follow court orders PatSeg 23 hrs ago #13
Putin owns it all. Irish_Dem 23 hrs ago #14
Yep and Trump thinks he can do the same PatSeg 22 hrs ago #24
Yep. Partners in crime. Irish_Dem 21 hrs ago #30
This message was self-deleted by its author PatSeg 22 hrs ago #25
🤬 Deuxcents Yesterday #3
This orangecrush 22 hrs ago #26
I read that DC has a 90-ft. height limit on structures. Is the WH under these regulations? nt in2herbs Yesterday #6
I suspect that... GiqueCee 9 hrs ago #38
The sad reality is that liberalgunwilltravel Yesterday #7
Hello......they can do any fucking thing they want....that is pretty clear based on the recent past. walkingman Yesterday #8
These horrible foists on the public are happening every day Klarkashton 23 hrs ago #9
Another link to the article... ultralite001 23 hrs ago #10
Like a playground bully saying "Make me". tanyev 23 hrs ago #11
;-{)....... Goonch 23 hrs ago #15
Trump wants his own personal McDonalds arch dlk 23 hrs ago #17
Wouldn't that authorization have expired with that Congress Buddyzbuddy 23 hrs ago #18
I'll bet you're right about that... GiqueCee 9 hrs ago #39
Then it can also be torn down with out congress approval. republianmushroom 22 hrs ago #20
Self aggrandizement BeneteauBum 22 hrs ago #21
Maybe he CAN build whatever he wants, wherever he wants, MLWR 22 hrs ago #23
You mean during the Teapot Dome administration. LisaM 21 hrs ago #29
Won't be done before he dies. What is done will be bulldozed. paleotn 21 hrs ago #31
The courts will put a stop to it quickly Wiz Imp 21 hrs ago #32
I wish I had your faith in our courts... travelingthrulife 8 hrs ago #40
We own the land! BidenRocks 20 hrs ago #33
East wing Whip-poor-will 11 hrs ago #37
More tacky crap on the Mall? And just who the hell do they think will pay for it? Warpy 19 hrs ago #34
We will pay for it. travelingthrulife 8 hrs ago #41
Democrats and a Re[ib;ocam pr two are [isjomg bacl jard Warpy 3 hrs ago #42
How about that Congressional power of the purse thingy? Bayard 17 hrs ago #35
Tear it down bluestateboomer 16 hrs ago #36

PatSeg

(53,567 posts)
12. Pretty much every authoritarian leader
Wed May 20, 2026, 06:20 PM
23 hrs ago

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.

no_hypocrisy

(55,390 posts)
5. If there were a temporary restraining order, followed by a permanent injunction,
Wed May 20, 2026, 06:07 PM
Yesterday

that order could threaten construction with contempt of court if they continue.

Irish_Dem

(82,386 posts)
16. Why would Trump care about contempt charges?
Wed May 20, 2026, 06:30 PM
23 hrs ago

He commits much worse crimes every day and no one cares.

no_hypocrisy

(55,390 posts)
22. *HE* might not care, but the contractors and workers would care.
Wed May 20, 2026, 07:55 PM
22 hrs ago

They're the target of the restraining order and injunction. If they keep on working despite the court's ruling, they get fined "bigly".

Irish_Dem

(82,386 posts)
28. Trump now pays people to commit crimes for him.
Wed May 20, 2026, 08:30 PM
21 hrs ago

$Millions of dollars.
Some people will gladly do it for him.

You and I are the ones paying these criminals.

Response to Irish_Dem (Reply #14)

GiqueCee

(4,759 posts)
38. I suspect that...
Thu May 21, 2026, 08:41 AM
9 hrs ago

... the White House, having been built long before such regulations were enacted, is essentially grandfathered in.

liberalgunwilltravel

(1,254 posts)
7. The sad reality is that
Wed May 20, 2026, 06:11 PM
Yesterday

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

(11,163 posts)
8. Hello......they can do any fucking thing they want....that is pretty clear based on the recent past.
Wed May 20, 2026, 06:16 PM
Yesterday

Klarkashton

(5,422 posts)
9. These horrible foists on the public are happening every day
Wed May 20, 2026, 06:17 PM
23 hrs ago

The trump carp and data centers are really pushing the public over the edge.

Buddyzbuddy

(2,914 posts)
18. Wouldn't that authorization have expired with that Congress
Wed May 20, 2026, 06:49 PM
23 hrs ago

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

(4,759 posts)
39. I'll bet you're right about that...
Thu May 21, 2026, 08:43 AM
9 hrs ago

... but, like you, I'm not sure. Gives me something to research.

MLWR

(1,081 posts)
23. Maybe he CAN build whatever he wants, wherever he wants,
Wed May 20, 2026, 07:56 PM
22 hrs ago

but we, the People, can tear done whatever we want as well.

Wiz Imp

(10,437 posts)
32. The courts will put a stop to it quickly
Wed May 20, 2026, 08:55 PM
21 hrs ago

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.

Warpy

(114,682 posts)
34. More tacky crap on the Mall? And just who the hell do they think will pay for it?
Wed May 20, 2026, 10:29 PM
19 hrs ago

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.

Warpy

(114,682 posts)
42. Democrats and a Re[ib;ocam pr two are [isjomg bacl jard
Thu May 21, 2026, 02:41 PM
3 hrs ago

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

(30,295 posts)
35. How about that Congressional power of the purse thingy?
Thu May 21, 2026, 01:12 AM
17 hrs ago

No money, no Golden Arches, or whatever the hell he has in mind now.

bluestateboomer

(556 posts)
36. Tear it down
Thu May 21, 2026, 01:54 AM
16 hrs ago

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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