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Ocelot II

(127,974 posts)
6. The contractor was acting at the direction of the entity that calls itself the president.
Tue Oct 21, 2025, 10:51 AM
Tuesday

What he (the entity) has done is probably illegal since "the demolition violates federal preservation law because no agency approval or budget authorization exists to alter the White House during a government shutdown. The National Park Service, which manages the property, and the National Capital Planning Commission, which reviews construction on federal grounds, are both shuttered and cannot issue permits or oversight. Without those clearances, they said, the work proceeds without lawful authority — making the demolition itself illegal under federal statute." https://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/newswire/construction-crews-demolish-part-white-house-without-approval-build-trumps-royal-ballroom/. Unfortunately, this DoJ will not enforce those laws, and Himself is likely to issue an EO conferring authority to proceed. If the contractor acts under the belief that the work was lawful they are probably off the hook as far as litigation goes. Also, there's the question of who has standing to act as plaintiff, since taxpayers don't have it.

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