Trump Lawyer Argues Trump Can Tear Down Statue of Liberty · Daring Fireball
Law & Regulation · Jun 6, 2026
The Justice Department told a court that the president has virtually unchecked authority over federal property—even to demolish landmarks like the Statue of Liberty—arguing courts could not block such actions, a stance that would broaden presidential immunity and heighten political risk for projects on federal sites.
Trump Lawyer Argues Trump Can Tear Down Statue of Liberty · Daring Fireball
Law & Regulation · Jun 6, 2026
The text argues that the 'unitary executive' theory—illustrated by a DOJ claim that the president could demolish the Statue of Liberty—drives concrete harms by concentrating control over federal landmarks, converting reviewable stewardship into unilateral action and repricing governance risk.
Trump Lawyer Argues Trump Can Tear Down Statue of Liberty · Daring Fireball
Law & Regulation · Jun 6, 2026
The article argues the presidency should be treated as a fiduciary-like administrative role—not an ownership interest—so presidents cannot unilaterally destroy or repurpose public assets, narrowing claims of unchecked executive authority and affecting federal asset permanence and planning certainty.