Washington Projects: Democrats target $300 million seawall
With control of Congress shifting, new leaders vow to scrutinize funding for the White House ballroom, a proposed 250-foot arch, and other presidential initiatives in the District.
By Nour Haddad ·
The proposed seawall at the East Potomac Golf Links would exceed $300 million, a figure that has drawn scrutiny as Democrats prepare to assume control of Congress. This cost estimate is one of few concrete numbers available for the administration's various physical changes to the capital. The new leadership intends to use its majority status to examine the financial backing for these initiatives.
President Donald Trump has prioritized several high-profile construction projects during his second term. These efforts include the renovation of the Kennedy Center, which received $257 million in congressional appropriations, and the construction of a new White House ballroom. He also plans to erect a 250-foot arch in Memorial Circle, a structure intended to stand taller than the Statue of Liberty without its pedestal. Trump discussed these designs, including Corinthian columns and steel beams, during a tour of the ballroom site on Wednesday.
Rep. Jared Huffman of California, who is set to chair the Natural Resources Committee, said he will use the committee's authority to investigate these projects. Huffman stated that Democrats have pushed back against what he called vanity projects seeking to turn public spaces into tributes to the president. He added that he will leverage the committee's investigative powers to protect the public interest and demand accountability from the executive branch.
Legal challenges have already slowed progress. The National Capital Planning Commission approved the Memorial Circle arch on an 8-4 vote late Thursday. However, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a temporary restraining order to block groundbreaking for 14 days. This decision followed a lawsuit filed by three veterans and an architectural historian, which was consolidated with a separate suit from the District of Columbia and Virginia. More than 120 witnesses testified against the arch during a nine-and-a-half-hour commission hearing.
Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia noted that the appropriations process beginning Jan. 3 will be controlled by Democrats. Beyer's spokesman, Aaron Fritschner, said this control provides a new method for Beyer to oppose the arch. Fritschner also indicated that the new House majority will shift the balance of power previously held by Speaker Mike Johnson. This shift is expected to affect the selection of the House general counsel, a role currently held by the Speaker.
Beyond the federal courts, the change in congressional control adds a new layer of oversight. Skye Perryman, president of Democracy Forward, said her organization will continue its legal challenges. However, she noted that Congress now has the constitutional duty to check executive branch excesses through hearings and investigations. The incoming Congress will consist of 54 Democratic senators and 237 representatives, compared to the current 44 Republicans and 147 representatives.
The administration has also faced questions regarding the mobilization of National Guard troops. Nearly 3,100 service members are currently stationed in the city. This number includes troops from Texas, Georgia, Iowa, and Nevada, which will all be led by Democratic governors following the recent elections. These states account for more than 600 of the mobilized personnel. The White House did not respond to requests for comment on these developments.
