Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

Trump warned he’ll 'pay political price' over aggressive 'legal loopholes'

alternet.org · 12dShare

Last October, President Donald Trump told a crowd of donors that he was surprised when his aides told him he could build his White House ballroom without seeking approval. At the time, Trump explained, “They said, ‘Sir, this is the White House, you’re the president of the United States. You can do anything you want.’” He’s spent the past year testing that claim, and according to the Washington Post , Trump has been able to achieve many of his vanity projects due to “legal loopholes” and because his political allies look the other way. The ballroom is perhaps the most discussed of Trump’s D.C. vanity projects, and he’s made numerous other changes to the grounds. As the Post explains, “Nearly every corner of the White House’s campus has been eyed for potential renovations or new construction, including a new helipad, which workers are racing to complete this month. Trump has already paved over the mansion’s Rose Garden, added gilding throughout the building and fenced off the neighboring

First report: Using legal loopholes and executive power, Trump is remaking Washington — washingtonpost.com, 13d