Back to feed

Trump Lawyer Argues Trump Can Tear Down Statue of Liberty

Daring Fireball

Jun 6, 2026

6/6/2026

DOJ Argues President Could Demolish Federal Property Without Judicial Review

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.


6/6/2026

Unitary Executive Theory Drives Unchecked Presidential Power and Transforms Governance of Federal Assets into Unilateral Action and Repricing of Governance Risk

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.


6/6/2026

Presidency As Fiduciary Administrator Not Owner Limits Executive Power Over Public Assets And Shapes Asset Planning

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.