What a Democratic Congress Could Mean for Trump’s DC Projects

Democrats’ new control of Congress could give them several ways to slow or challenge President Donald Trump’s construction projects in Washington, including the White House ballroom now being built, according to reporting by The Washington Post and The Hill.

The projects

Trump has made reshaping parts of the capital a signature effort of his second term. This week he spoke at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, where he highlighted renovations to the basin as an example of what his administration could accomplish, the Post reported. He is also building a large ballroom at the White House and has proposed a triumphal arch.

Lawsuits and spending

When the new Congress is seated in January, Democratic majorities in the House and Senate could file suit to try to block the most disputed projects, arguing that they were not authorized by Congress and are therefore unlawful, according to the Post.

Congressional Democrats have already made that argument. Before the election, several Democratic lawmakers, including the top Democrats on the House Oversight and Natural Resources committees, filed a brief at the Supreme Court contending that White House construction should not proceed without the consent of Congress, CBS News reported. In August, the Supreme Court ruled that a historic preservationist who challenged the ballroom likely could not show she would be harmed by it, which cleared the way for construction to continue, the Post reported. A suit brought by a chamber of Congress would raise different legal questions about who has standing to sue.

Democrats could also use the power of the purse. The Post reported that the president has redirected public money to his Washington projects with little objection from Republican leaders, something a Democratic Congress could try to limit through spending bills.

Oversight

Control of House committees would give Democrats subpoena power to investigate how the projects are being paid for and managed, The Hill reported. Areas that could draw scrutiny include the Reflecting Pool renovation, the planned arch, the use of no-bid contracts and overall spending.

Democrats have said they also plan broader investigations of the administration once they take power, including into immigration enforcement and Justice Department actions, according to Reuters and CNBC.

A change on the review panel

There is also a more immediate effect. Two members of Congress from the Democratic Party will replace Republicans on a 12-member federal review panel that has quickly approved Trump’s projects, according to the Post. The president had filled the panel with allies.

Before that change takes effect, however, the panel with its current members is expected to approve the planned arch as soon as Thursday, the Post reported.

Market reaction

The election also moved some financial markets tied to the president. Shares of Trump Media and Technology Group, which runs the Truth Social platform, fell more than 13 percent in early trading on Wednesday to an all-time low of about $5.10, the Post reported. The company’s stock is down more than 60 percent this year.

What to watch

Any lawsuit by Congress would take time, and the White House is likely to argue that the president has broad authority over the executive residence and federal property. Construction could continue while the issues are debated. The first test may come in spending negotiations next year, when Democrats will control the bills that fund federal agencies.

How we reported this

This report is based on information confirmed by the Associated Press or by at least two major news organizations, as noted in the text. Figures from early or partial counts are identified as such and may change. BURN VOC will update this story as new information is released.