Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday said the Department of Justice believes Congress has already granted President Trump the authority to construct the White House ballroom under existing presidential authority.
“We don’t believe we have to go to Congress. We believe Congress has already given us the authority to do what we’re doing,” Blanche said during a Sunday appearance on Fox News’s “Fox News Sunday.”
“Many presidents have done a tremendous amount of work to the White House, as they should, and Congress has authorized them to do so,” he added in discussion with anchor Shannon Bream, a lawyer criticized by Trump after the interview aired.
Bream asked Blanche why he wouldn’t go to Congress for approval on the reported $900-million project if he believes they’ve already been granted the authority to complete construction on the White House campus.
An appeals court has ordered the administration to stop all work on the project by Aug. 21 unless the Supreme Court steps in to approve the overhaul.
“We’re hopeful that the Supreme Court recognizes that so we can get the ballroom finished as soon as possible. Remember, yes, it is a ballroom, but it’s also a meaningful upgrade and necessary part of the security of this city and the security of the president and his family,” Blanche said Sunday.
“We don’t believe we have to go to Congress. We believe Congress has already given us the authority to do what we’re doing,”
What do you mean “we believe”? They either did or they didn’t. And surely doing so involves some sort of formal process that you could point to?
It means they haven’t, so he’s resorting to weasel words in order to muddy the waters.
It’s just a weird thing to say. Like it’s clear as day that they haven’t. Who does he think he’s fooling?
MAGA as usual
Blanche, leaping out of a coat closet at a random member of congress: “guyinfavoroftheballroomsayswhat”
“…what?”
“See, congress approves! NO BACKSIES!”
Haven’t you heard? Feelings trump facts these days. As long as you believe something hard enough, that is now the truth. As long as you have the means to act like it.
We believe Congress has already given us the authority to do what we’re doing,” Blanche said…
Emphasis mine.
Better to use the original URL instead of the AMP one.
It’s also literally rules of the subreddit.
ELI5: WTF does the DOJ have to do with a discussion between the executive branch and the legislative branch regarding changes to the Whitehouse?
“If we asked they’d tell us no”
believes Congress has already granted President Trump the authority
How do english speakers say? “No takesie-backsies?”
Read: “who cares about legality, you already said yes! It’s on you now!”
It’s all so childish. So divorced from reality. If this wasn’t the potus, anybody arguing like that would likely get a kick in the gut and a throaty laugh.
