Donald Trump Sued Over East Wing Demolition

[Igel]

36. Picking up from the last paragraph of your excerpt ... The freestanding BBC legal take on the matter.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c397jvrrm4mo

Under a law known as National Historic Preservation Act, federal agencies are required to examine the impact of any construction projects on historic properties. Specifically, Section 106 requires the agencies to undergo a review process, including getting input from the public.

Then-President Lyndon B Johnson signed the law in 1966, after a period of rapid development in the US - including through federally-funded infrastructure projects - as concerns grew that cultural and historical landmarks were being destroyed.

Why is the White House exempt?

According to Section 107 of the act, three buildings and their grounds are exempt from the Section 106 review process: the White House, the US Capitol and the US Supreme Court building.

In the past, however, typically presidents have voluntarily submitted their plans to the National Capital Planning Commission - which oversees federal building construction - before the construction project begins.

Trump officials have not yet done so, but say they plan to, though the renovation has already begun.

Note that the review process is what's being invoked.

The text of the 1952 Capital Preservation Act is fairly broad and utterly non-specific, and includes broad swaths of DC, N Va. A quick skim didn't show foresee enforcement action or make obvious any granting of standing.

Might get a TRO, but I foresee that being knocked down real quick.