Trump officials say they can build 250-foot arch without Congress's approval

[mahatmakanejeeves]

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

[Lovie777]

1. Can these asshole stop with all the....

vanity bullshit.

[PatSeg]

12. Pretty much every authoritarian leader

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]

19. It's a hallmark of fascism. Comes with the territory.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Some judge is going to rule otherwise.

[Irish_Dem]

4. Trump doesn't have to follow court orders.

[no_hypocrisy]

5. If there were a temporary restraining order, followed by a permanent injunction,

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

[Irish_Dem]

16. Why would Trump care about contempt charges?

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

[no_hypocrisy]

22. *HE* might not care, but the contractors and workers would care.

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]

27. But he would 'promise' to pay their fines.

And then wouldn't.

[Irish_Dem]

28. Trump now pays people to commit crimes for him.

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

You and I are the ones paying these criminals.

[PatSeg]

13. Yeah, Putin doesn't follow court orders

[Irish_Dem]

14. Putin owns it all.

[PatSeg]

24. Yep and Trump thinks he can do the same

[Irish_Dem]

30. Yep. Partners in crime.

Except Putin is the top mob boss.

[Deuxcents]

3. 🤬

[orangecrush]

26. This

[in2herbs]

6. I read that DC has a 90-ft. height limit on structures. Is the WH under these regulations? nt

[GiqueCee]

38. I suspect that...

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

[liberalgunwilltravel]

7. The sad reality is that

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]

8. Hello......they can do any fucking thing they want....that is pretty clear based on the recent past.

[Klarkashton]

9. These horrible foists on the public are happening every day

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

[ultralite001]

10. Another link to the article...

https://archive.ph/QXBOO

[tanyev]

11. Like a playground bully saying "Make me".

😒

[Goonch]

15. ;-{).......

[dlk]

17. Trump wants his own personal McDonalds arch

What a class act!

[Buddyzbuddy]

18. Wouldn't that authorization have expired with that Congress

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]

39. I'll bet you're right about that...

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

[republianmushroom]

20. Then it can also be torn down with out congress approval.

[BeneteauBum]

21. Self aggrandizement

I wonder how many MAGAT children have tRump as part of their name.

☮️

[MLWR]

23. Maybe he CAN build whatever he wants, wherever he wants,

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

[LisaM]

29. You mean during the Teapot Dome administration.

That tracks.

[paleotn]

31. Won't be done before he dies. What is done will be bulldozed.

[Wiz Imp]

32. The courts will put a stop to it quickly

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]

40. I wish I had your faith in our courts...

[BidenRocks]

33. We own the land!

How do you get around that fact!
We the people are the HOA!

[Whip-poor-will]

37. East wing

Didn't we own that ?

[Warpy]

34. More tacky crap on the Mall? And just who the hell do they think will pay for it?

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]

41. We will pay for it.

[Warpy]

42. Democrats and a Re[ib;ocam pr two are [isjomg bacl jard

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]

35. How about that Congressional power of the purse thingy?

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

[bluestateboomer]

36. Tear it down

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.