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orleans

(37,455 posts)

39. i googled could trump administration destroy the statue of liberty:

Reply to moonshinegnomie (Original post)

Fri Jun 5, 2026, 02:13 PM

Jun 5

Legally and logistically, the Trump administration cannot unilaterally destroy or demolish the Statue of Liberty, as doing so would violate federal laws like the National Historic Preservation Act and require explicit legislative approval from Congress. (link #1)

However, this question stems from a literal, hypothetical exchange in a June 2026 federal appeals court hearing regarding the limits of executive power.

The June 2026 Court Argument

During a hearing before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals concerning a lawsuit over the construction of a new White House ballroom, Department of Justice (DOJ) lawyers argued that the courts lack the authority to halt executive construction or demolition projects.

The Judge's Question: Judge Patricia Millett asked the DOJ what would happen if the administration decided to "very quickly bulldoze the Statue of Liberty" before anyone could stop it.

The DOJ's Response: The government attorney responded, "I think that's right, yes," implying that under their legal theory of executive speed, the courts would have no power to undo or stop the action after the fact.

The Legal Framework
While the administration's legal argument pushes for absolute executive immunity from court-ordered halts on federal property, actual demolition remains illegal under federal protections: (link #2)

National Park Service Management:
The Statue of Liberty National Monument (link #3) is federal property managed by the National Park Service.

Statutory Protections:
Demolishing a national monument requires rigorous environmental reviews, public consultation, and compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act.

The Role of Congress:
The DOJ explicitly noted in the same arguments that stopping such overreach or modifying such structures ultimately rests under the constitutional authority of Congress, not individual executive mandates.

Ultimately, the administration has expressed no real-world intention to destroy the monument. The scenario remains a purely theoretical legal example used by judges to test the outer boundaries of presidential power over federal property.

link #1
https://newrepublic.com/post/211422/department-justice-donald-trump-right-bulldoze-statue-liberty

link #2
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/05/white-house-ballroom-donald-trump-00951892

link #3
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/307/

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Cha

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Highlight:

doj tells judge he could bulldoze teh statue of liberty and theres nothing they can do [View all] moonshinegnomie Jun 5 OP

AAAAAAAAUUUUUGGGHHHHHH! PCIntern Jun 5 #1

Where did this exchange take place? Raven123 Jun 5 #2

federal appeals court in dc moonshinegnomie Jun 5 #3

The Pedo's gravesite is probably going to be an International destination to Submariner Jun 5 #4

Add in some some turbines to generate electricity Jerry2144 Jun 5 #9

In the winter we can "write" our name in the snow ToxMarz Jun 5 #10

To Quote Tonto: "Who Is This 'We,' White Man?" 😉 ColoringFool Jun 5 #30

NAH! MyOwnPeace Jun 5 #14

They will need an industrial site to deal with all the pee Jimi du Ranty Jun 5 #19

It'll become synonymous with kissing the Blarney Stone. Mr. Evil Jun 5 #42

So the next Democratic president could have the EPA designate Mar-a-Lago a toxic waste hazard, bulldoze sop Jun 5 #5

Oh, I LIKE the way you think! MyOwnPeace Jun 5 #16

Confiscate Trump Tower & make it an IRS office Captain Zero Jun 5 #28

Oooooooooo! That's good too! MyOwnPeace Jun 5 #35

Mierde Lardo is already a toxic sewer of human Hey Joe Jun 5 #29

But he/she will not do that. Justice matters. Jun 5 #34

+1 dalton99a Jun 5 #45

He's not wrong. BlueTsunami2018 Jun 5 #6

Obviously, no one. PittBlue Jun 5 #7

So Far! Cha Jun 5 #53

I think the city ornotna Jun 5 #12

We watched Sully recently and I'd agree that they should not be underestimated LT Barclay Jun 5 #22

Obviously, it was a hypothetical. BlueTsunami2018 Jun 5 #50

You seem to have an answer ornotna Jun 5 #52

That's fair. BlueTsunami2018 Jun 6 #56

I think pitchforks is something that can be done. I have two, a three prong and a ten prong silage fork. twodogsbarking Jun 5 #8

More like automatic weapons dave99 Jun 5 #17

Believe me, that is EXACTLY, Precisely what they want popsdenver Jun 5 #32

Absolutely loony toons MustLoveBeagles Jun 5 #11

So basically we need to guard these treasures personally 24x7 Raven123 Jun 5 #13

... struggle4progress Jun 5 #15

Courts of equity have broad powers like injunction, specific performance, and restitution since the XIIIth Century! Ponietz Jun 5 #18

The SCUSPD officer assigned to the courtroom should have immediately smacked that attorney upside the head and dragged ChicagoTeamster Jun 5 #20

Both DOJ lawyer & the DOJ are WRONG. The Statue of Liberty was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, and ancianita Jun 5 #21

Maybe so, but does the US still recognize UNESCO as a legitimate organization? TheRickles Jun 5 #23

Excellent question when it comes to this administration. ancianita Jun 5 #25

The felon's criminal clownish administration doesn't care about any "foreign" Justice matters. Jun 5 #36

No doubt. But he's also dealing with New York, not just UNESCO. His henchmen won't be allowed anywhere near ancianita Jun 5 #49

That's the Spirit & Attitude Cha Jun 6 #54

So how do they get bulldozers onto Liberty Island in the middle of New York Harbor? FakeNoose Jun 5 #24

Nice pics! Memories of me visiting there up in the lantern. Justice matters. Jun 5 #37

I believe there are these things called "ships" dpibel Jun 6 #55

I'm your huckleberry. Pick me! Jacson6 Jun 5 #26

His name in history will be synonomous with evil, selfish, hateful, greed and destroyer of America's reputation and kimbutgar Jun 5 #27

And if you really think the midterm elections will save us... EarthAbides Jun 5 #31

Trump would erect a statue of himself in its place. twodogsbarking Jun 5 #33

You got THAT right............ MyOwnPeace Jun 5 #38

i googled could trump administration destroy the statue of liberty: orleans Jun 5 #39

The White House is also federal property, and including the East Wing and the Rose Garden FakeNoose Jun 5 #40

the last line from the new republic: orleans Jun 5 #44

They already have, mzmolly Jun 5 #41

While that person is bulldozing the Statue of Liberty... Mr. Evil Jun 5 #43

I've seen this movie before.... 🦧🗽🦍 Tanuki Jun 5 #46

The courts have to set limits on what they consider "official acts". dickthegrouch Jun 5 #47

And what would happen if he did ?? kentuck Jun 5 #48

Totalitarian The Wizard Jun 5 #51