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/

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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 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
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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.

[PatSeg]

13. Yeah, Putin doesn't follow court orders

[Irish_Dem]

14. Putin owns it all.

[Deuxcents]

3. 🤬

[in2herbs]

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

[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.