Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• White House routed ballroom project through exempt office to avoid building codes — The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration signed contracts putting the American taxpayer on the hook for more than $300 million for a White House ballroom project. James McCrery II, the first architect on the project, resigned when Trump insisted on a design that did not meet fire codes. Normally, White House construction would be managed by federal agencies required by law to comply with building safety codes, but White House officials routed the ballroom through the tiny Executive Residence office, which is exempt from rules because it is not a federal agency. McCrery warned that Trump's design lacked sufficient emergency exits and fire containment measures. When McCrery raised these concerns, Trump responded: "I am the code."

Supporting reports

• Trump claimed military requested conversion of Triumphal Arch to military complex for drones and sniper ammunition — Trump announced plans to convert a planned Triumphal Arch near Arlington Memorial Bridge into a military complex to house drones and sniper ammunition, claiming the military made a "strong request" for the conversion. Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) criticized the plan as dangerous and suggested Trump was creating a pretext to defend against a lawsuit by falsely linking the arch to national security. Democratic lawmakers indicated they could subpoena Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine to verify whether the military actually requested this use.
• Trump announces plan to convert Arlington Memorial Bridge area into military complex and triumphal arch — Trump announced on social media that he has agreed to convert the area at the Receptive Circle adjoining the Arlington Memorial Bridge into a military complex and triumphal arch, citing national security purposes and a request from the U.S. Military. The structure would house drones, snipers, and ammunition storage. Trump claimed Washington, D.C. is the only major capital without a triumphal arch and that this would be "by far, the greatest of them all."

Supporting reports

• Thousands protest Trump's takeover of Kennedy Center and threat to demolish or rename it — Thousands gathered outside the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Friday evening to protest Trump's takeover of the building and his threat to shut it down or demolish it unless his name is added to the facade. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper of the District of Columbia had previously ordered the Kennedy Center board to provide 30 days' notice before making any major physical changes to the building.
• Kennedy Center ceiling collapse and Trump-ordered closure — A 5-foot piece of ceiling plaster fell at the Kennedy Center in mid-September. Rather than repair the damage immediately, staff documented it extensively for a 55-page board briefing. Trump claimed online that a security guard narrowly avoided "certain death." Within two hours, Trump-allied board members voted to close the center, citing safety concerns. Trump, who serves as the center's chairman, had previously announced in February a two-year closure for renovations. Democratic board members alleged the closure was a pretext to avoid humiliation from plummeting ticket sales and fleeing artists.